The first rainbow crossing in Europe has been removed from a Brighton street, amid calls for the installation to be made permanent.

Brighton last week unveiled the UK’s first temporary ‘rainbow crossing’ to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness.

The crossing – on Madeira Drive, next to Brighton beach – was unveiled by local artists, and actress Heather Peace.

On removing the crossing, Brighton and Hove City Council said it was scrubbed off because it had never been intended as a permanent attraction.

Rainbow crossings have appeared in place of traditional zebra crossings across the world, including in Canada, Australia and Norway.

Welcoming the installation, Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas called for it to become permanent, calling it “a fantastic, fun tribute to our vibrant city”.

She said she would raise the issue of a permanent crossing with the council, which responded promptly to say that any application for a permanent new crossing was likely to fail.

A team of artists from the JAG Gallery and Modern Gallery worked to decorate the crossing, alongside Julieanne Gilburt and street artist Cassette Lord.

Gilburt said: “We’ve loved creating the rainbow crossing. It’s a beautiful message and a perfect addition to the artists’ quarter on Madeira Drive. We hope everyone will come down and enjoy it.”

Authorities have announced that London is to get its own rainbow crossing ahead of Pride in London this year.