A 24-hour bus service is being planned for Brighton and Hove.

The all-night route would link Hove station with Brighton Marina, seven days a week.

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company is planning to make the No 7 route a round-the-clock service to run from Hove Station via Seven Dials, Brighton Station, Churchill Square, Old Steine, through Kemp Town to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the marina.

The first bus on the No 7 route currently leaves Hove station at 5.27am and the last leaves Brighton Marina at 11.39pm. They would run every seven minutes during the day and every half hour throughout the night if the plan is approved.

It has the full backing of Brighton and Hove City Council.

Leader Ken Bodfish said: "This will be excellent for the whole city. I hope it will be the first of a series of all-night bus routes going through Brighton and Hove.

"Such routes already work well in London. It will compliment our excellent taxi service and encourage more people to use public transport."

It is hoped the new service would be included in the autumn timetable.

However, the company is in talks with drivers, who are paid a basic £8 an hour for day-time work but who want to be paid a night rate of time-and-a-half if the service goes 24-hour.

Negotiations over wages would have to be resolved before the scheme goes ahead.

One bus driver said: "Everyone wants to be on this route. If it is a 24-hour service and worked on a shift system then everyone who drives on it should be paid the same."

The company believes there is a strong demand for a 24-hour bus service between Brighton Marina and Hove. It could attract clubbers and shift workers, especially those at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, which is on the route.

Taxi firms in Brighton charge approximately £15 for a journey between Brighton Marina and parts of Hove after midnight.

The basic rate for a journey after midnight in Brighton and Hove is £1.80 a mile.

Fares on the service have yet to be announced.

Managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company Roger French said: "We are having talks on this but at present we have no comment to make.

"We hope to make an announcement shortly."

Paul Elgood, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, said: "This is to be welcomed.

"It will make the city safer as people unable to afford taxis will no longer feel stranded or have long walks home.

"They will have access to a bus route through the centre for the whole or part of their journey. I hope the fares will be reasonable."