Business is booming for rebel bed and breakfast owners after they refused to advertise in an official council guide.

More than 30 B&Bs decided to go it alone after a dispute with Lewes District Council about the cost of advertising in its brochure.

They clubbed together to form the Lewes Area Bed and Breakfast Group and in December 2000 printed their own independent guide.

The guide was banned from the council-run tourist information centre in Lewes, leading to fears the rebel B&Bs could not survive without its recommendations.

However, members of the group say business is better than ever with other B&Bs queuing up to join.

The group recently won a commendation from Sussex Enterprise for supporting the tourism industry in Lewes during 2001.

The second edition of its brochure Bed and Breakfast in and around Lewes is officially launched today.

The split with the council was triggered by its decision to sign up to a national harmonisation scheme which meant accommodation providers had to join the AA, RAC or English Tourism Council if they wanted to advertise in the council accommodation guide.

Bed and breakfast owners faced a bill of more than £300.

Twenty-eight refused to join and decided to print an alternative brochure, appointing an official independent inspector to inspect the premises every other year.

Joint co-ordinator Angela Wigglesworth, who runs Castlebanks Cottage in Lewes, said: "Not only do we avoid a large advertising bill, we also escape paying the tourist information centre ten per cent commission on the cost of the first night for people they send to us."

The council said it remained committed to the harmonisation scheme.