Hundreds of people gathered outside the council meeting

Councillors in Gosport voted unanimously to oppose the controversial plans to build the centre at Lee-on-Solent at a special council meeting on Thursday night.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the council chambers - watching the debate on a giant video screen.

More than 2,500 protesters attended a demonstration on Saturday in the hope of persuading the government to change its mind.

They say the area is unable to cope with such a large influx of people.

At Thursday's meeting the Daedalus Action Group, made up of local residents, presented its case to the meeting, expressing concern about the impact of the centre on the local area.

Leading protester Tim Astill said after the meeting: "I am very pleased - there were a lot of positive comments made which gives us a lot of hope."

Conservative councillor Graham Burgess added: "This is a step forward.

"The reasons for this are not about race or religion, it's purely the fact that we do not believe we have the infrastructure to support this."

Another protest march is now planned in Lee-on-Solent on Sunday 23 February.