A NEW photography centre will be open to the public for the first time during Brighton Fringe.

The University of Brighton has refurbished the former American Express offices in Edward Street, Brighton.

The building, which is now known as the School of Media, has state-of-the-art photography dark rooms and edit suits.

There are also film studios, a public gallery space, seminar rooms and teaching spaces.

Francis Hodgson, professor in the culture of photography at the university, said: “The building gives the university additional exhibition space that meets professional standards, a real sense of a department coming together in a very well equipped building.

“The photography department already has a very high reputation and we now have the opportunity of becoming one of the top UK institutions, encouraging specialisation whilst further enhancing its broader reputation for excellence.”

The building will be open to the public during the Fringe for a series of short films which have been created by children with family members or loved ones in prison.

The films will also be accompanied by an exhibition.

The event is produced by the Zap Art group in partnership with Sussex Prisoners’ Families, the University of Brighton, DigiTales, Salvation Army Housing Association (Newhaven Foyer) and is supported through funding from the People’s Postcode Trust and BBC Children in Need.

The free event, which takes place on Saturday between 1.30pm and 2.30pm, will also give guests the opportunity to look around the new facility.

The event is part of Brighton Fringe which features more than 1,000 performances across four weeks.

There are dozens of photography events being held, including an exhibition by former Argus photographer Tony Tree.

Titled Faith, the exhibition is being held at the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton.

It features a collection of the 72-year-old photographer’s images of faith groups in Brighton and Hove.

He said he hoped the event would help break down barriers and give a valuable insight into other cultures.

For more details about this year’s Brighton Fringe, to see a full list of shows and to book, visit brightonfringe.org.