Forget sushi and smoked salmon - jellied eels are the latest seafood trend.

Sales of the traditional seaside delicacy are up 50 per cent for one trader who says jellied eels are back in fashion.

Alan Hayes, who runs a stall on King's Road Arches, Brighton, said: "A lot of young people are getting more adventurous and choosing jellied eels. We sold almost 30 pots at the weekend."

Sales of whelks have doubled in the past three years. Former fisherman Mr Hayes, 58, opened the stall and a seafood shop with his wife Carol ten years ago.

He believes the success of jellied eels is down to their elevated status in society.

He said: "Jellied eels are more sophisticated now. We have one customer who takes 11 tubs of them to eat on his way to the opera."