Kingston Council has performed a u-turn over a "botched" consultation into moving drug and alcohol treatment services in Surbiton.

At a health committee meeting last night a planned move to Hollyfield House, in Hollyfield Road, was halted.

Ruling Conservatives admitted the consultation had been "inadequate" and promised a new, "extensive" poll of residents' views.

Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Liz Green said: "At the 11th hour they realised they had botched the consultation.

"They had obviously been working on that since the [final consultation] meeting on Tuesday after having seen the petition taking off online."

More than 1,000 people had signed a petition opposing Kingston Wellbeing Service’s move from Surbiton Health Centre to Hollyfield Road.

Coun Julie Pickering, Conservative lead member for health, admitted the council's current consultation processes were "no longer fit for purpose" and said they would be reviewed.

Public pressure had forced the council to think again, she added.