Arts chiefs are to pump hundreds of thousands of pounds into a project intended to turn Brighton and Hove into a centre of theatre production.

South & South East Arts has pledged to give the new Made In Brighton initiative £150,000 a year for the next three years.

Made In Brighton, headed by broadcaster Simon Fanshawe, hopes to make the city an international centre of the theatre industry.

The new group, due to start operating early next year, expects to receive additional funding from other bodies, among them Brighton and Hove City Council which is spending £15,000 on the project.

Venues in Brighton and Hove have long relied on importing shows from elsewhere and home-grown production is a long cherished ambition of the city's arts groups.

Mr Fanshawe, who sits on the advisory board of South & South East Arts, said the initiative would create jobs and boost the city's profile.

He said: "This is a great opportunity to turn Brighton into a theatre producing city again."

The group is already advertising to fill the key part-time post of theatre producer, carrying a maximum salary of up to £50,000 a year.

Major funder South & South East Arts said investing in theatre, of all kinds, would boost Brighton and Hove's creative capability.

Senior drama officer Judith Hibberd said: "When the theatre producer and the Made In Brighton board are in place, details of this exciting initiative will be drawn-up and launched."