There is nothing quite like painting your own pottery to relax at the end of a busy day.

Glazed Expressions, a colourful cafe in Brighton's busy North Road, is combining the art of plate decoration with tea and cakes.

The cafe-cum-studio, which was set up by artist Gill Banks, is celebrating the success of the concept by developing sessions aimed at businesses for team-building exercises.

Gill said she had seen a huge rise in the numbers of customers in recent weeks as more people tried out designs.

She said: "Not only have we been welcoming customers from the Brighton area but we have been providing visitors from around the world with the chance to paint their own ceramics.

"A lot of language schools entertain their overseas students here and we are regularly sending hand-painted gifts all over the world."

Gill has also seen a rise in the number of themed parties she has been asked to arrange.

She said: "We hold birthday parties, hen parties and painting party nights for the grown-ups, which are held once a month.

"We provide a free buffet and customers bring their own wine."

Studio assistant Kath Williamson said: "The great thing about painting on to ceramics is that the pieces are all professionally designed and then made unique by the customer."