Eric Pickles' department has no plans to "dig out our bucket and spade" and move to the seaside in Brighton, a ministerial colleague has said.

Conservative Simon Kirby has been pressing ministers to say if they have any proposals to relocate their staff and offices, largely based in central London, to Brighton - the city of his constituency.

And while most departments have given a formal "no" reply to the MP for Brighton Kemptown, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) - which is under Communities Secretary Mr Pickles' ministerial control - has offered a more detailed answer.

Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis told Mr Kirby: "Whilst noting the many virtues of Brighton, as recognised by the conferring of city status to the towns of Brighton and Hove by Her Majesty in 2000, I am afraid I have to disappoint you.

"My department has no current plans to dig out our bucket and spade and move to the seaside."

DCLG is relocating to share offices with the Home Office in London in an attempt to cut running costs by GBP9 million, the minister said.

Mr Lewis, in his response to Mr Kirby's written parliamentary question, added: "However, I commend you for your cheerleading of the city as a place to do business."