Children and veteran trade unionists jumped on a bouncy castle to celebrate the 25th birthday of a centre for the unemployed and poor.

Brighton and Hove Unemployed Workers' Centre, founded at a time of widespread social dissatisfaction in 1981, was an antidote to Thatcher's Britain.

Members fought what they saw as social exclusion and railed against record levels of unemployment.

Yesterday the tone was celebratory as community activists associated with the centre enjoyed music and food at Hollingdean Community Centre in Thompson Road, Brighton.

Speakers included Alan Durrant of the TUC, Alex Knutsen of Unison, Bill North of the Campaign for a Mass Workers' Party and representatives of various causes, including the Justice for Omar Deghayes campaign and Defend Council Housing.

Tony Greenstein, secretary of the centre, said: "As one of the original founders of the unemployed centre 25 years ago, we have seen great changes in society.

"But one thing has not changed unemployment and poverty are still with us.

"For 25 years, the centre has been a thorn in the side of the local establishment.

That was why a New Labour council, seven years ago, tried to kill us off by denying us planning permission. We survived because there are too few organisations prepared to stand up for the weak and poor in society."

The centre was founded by the Trades Council, the Workers' Educational Association and unemployed activists.

The late Dudley Edwards was a key figure in its establishment at its first premises in Coalbrook Road on the Freshfield Industrial Estate in Brighton.

Frank Elvy House, the headquarters in Crestway Parade, Hollingdean, Brighton, opened in 1999 despite being refused planning permission by the Labour-run Brighton and Hove City Council over fears of noise and disturbance.

A leaflet was circulated to residents at the time, stating: "They can get stuffed because we are going to open as planned."

The leaflet claimed councillors did not like the idea of a new centre prepared to campaign against New Labour policies.

The row rumbled on until the centre's leaders resubmitted a planning application with a 300-signature supporting petition and the council gave it the go-ahead.

The centre ran into trouble again in 2000 when it put up metal shutters. Critics said they made the area look ugly and hostile.

This time the council was more accommodating and granted permission for the shutters to remain on condition murals were painted on them to brighten them up.

Today the centre is one of few surviving nationally. It remains an influential voice despite the city becoming more buoyant economically.

There are still pockets of unemployment above the national average and large parts of the city have been recognised as deprived by the Government.

The centre offers help with benefits and rights and has successfully pursued a number of employment tribunals, including ones against the city council and the Benefits Agency.