A summer display of flowers to brighten up Brighton and Hove has been killed off by the worst drought in 100 years.

The annual display - which this year was to include 500 hanging baskets, planters and troughs - has been cancelled for the first time in its history.

Instead of a colourful city-wide display of flowers to make the streets bloom, only two planters will be left throughout the summer.

Brighton and Hove City Council took the decision in the face of a worsening drought which is gripping Sussex and could leave the county high and dry during the summer.

Thousands of litres of water are needed every day throughout the summer months to keep the flowers blooming.

The water will be saved but the loss of the display has wrecked the city's chances of entering the Britain In Bloom contest to recognise the prettiest places in the country.

The two remaining planters are to be placed outside the registry office at Brighton Town Hall in Bartholomew Square where they will be watered using waste water.

Brighton and Hove City Council made the decision with organisers of the annual City In Bloom contest which encourages businesses and residents to help brighten up the streets by planting their own flowers or sponsoring some of the 500 baskets or troughs in the display.

The city floral competition will go ahead but the drought has forced the council to withdraw from the South East In Bloom competition, the regional final of Britain In Bloom.

The council was about to spend thousands of pounds ordering plants for the baskets and troughs which may have been left to die in the summer if the council had then been ordered not to water them because of a worsening summer drought.

Brighton and Hove will only have the beds in parks and gardens planted with flowers while the 500 troughs and moveable planters which are usually on display will be taken to the workshops at Stanmer Park, Brighton, where they will be repainted and repaired for next year, should the drought be over.

Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the council's environment committee, said: "In light of the current water shortage it would be wrong to use precious resources on watering baskets and troughs."

City In Bloom will change its categories to encourage drought-condition planting. Categories for best hanging basket, window box or balcony have been axed.

Pat Foster, an assistant director of environmental services at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "In the next week we will be contacting all the business and resident groups that are currently involved in the City In Bloom campaign and will advise them of the current situation.

"Understandably, some of these groups will be upset but it is hoped we can still involve them in the campaign by other methods."