A Jewish community centre has defended its decision to host a Ukip meeting ahead of this month’s elections despite complaints calling for the session to be cancelled.

Three Ukip candidates standing for seats in Westminster and European polls are due to speak at Ralli Hall, a base for communal activities in Hove, Sussex, on Tuesday.

The centre has received a number of complaints after it decided to take the political party’s booking. Complainants are understood to have described the plans for the meeting as “outrageous”.

But Norina Duke, centre manager, said: “We have had meetings here of other political parties in the past. We are a non-political centre.

“A couple of people have complained but there is no harm in having Ukip here.”

Ms Duke said she had received “assurances” from the party and the police that the meeting would pose no security or other concerns.