Web masters have launched a new search engine for Brighton and Hove.

The site at www.p2b.net provides free access to local information from more than 200 different websites dedicated to city matters.

This includes sites run by local authorities, the NHS, the police, community groups, schools and businesses.

Users will be able to access local information about schools, clubs and community issues, find out about events and job vacancies in the area.

It has been set up by the Place To Be Partnership which includes the Argus and aims to make it easier for people to access information on their websites.

It is hoped up to 500 groups will have asked to be added onto the search engine within a year.

The not-for-profit service is powered by Google technology, which has helped make that website so well-known.

The site was launched last Thursday night at Fabrica in Ship Street, Brighton, by Brighton and Hove City Council's head of e-government Deborah Parr.

Addressing the event was project executive Mark Walker of SCIP, which helps groups in the city use the internet and computers for the benefit of the community.

He said afterwards: "We want people to suggest adding their site to it. It their site contains information for people of Brighton and Hove we will add it.

"Over time it will grow into something more and more reflective of what people are looking for in Brighton and Hove."

Involved in the partnership is The Argus, Brighton and Hove City Council, Brighton and Hove Primary Care Trust, Sussex Community Internet Project, the University of Brighton, the University of Sussex, Virtual Brighton and Wired Sussex.