BRIGHTON and Hove gained the biggest rise in tourism sales, a report shows.

A survey showed the city topping the chart for seaside resorts' annual growth figures, putting on 12.8 per cent in revenue in comparison with last year.

And hoteliers told The Argus they agree with the findings and said Brits staying in the UK on Staycations were to thank for the boom.

David Uson, co-owner of the Guest and the City bed and breakfast in Kemp Town, agreed with the findings.

He said: "We took over in March so this has been our first year but we've got the last six years' bookings and we're certainly up, dramatically up on last year.

"As soon as we get a cancellation we get a booking again within hours.

"And we also record nationalities, like the previous owner, and there are a lot of British people coming to stay this year. I have been really surprised."

Mr Uson went on to say that September is shaping up to be even busier than August, so perhaps the summer boom is not quite over.

The report, from till software company Epos Now, concludes that more Brits have chosen to stay in the country - and head for the Sussex seafront - than in previous years.

With the post-Brexit staycation boom estimated to be worth an extra £1.4 billion to the UK economy, the survey of 320 hospitality businesses across the UK identified the major seaside resorts that have seen the biggest hike in sales from July 17 to August 17 in comparison to the same period in 2015.

Of the towns polled, Brighton experienced the largest surge in sales, recording a 12.8 per cent increase on last year’s figures.

Southend also received a notable boost in sales posting a 9.1 per cent increase while bars, pubs and cafés in Newquay enjoyed 7 per cent growth.

The manager of seafront business Volks Diner told The Argus: "It was nice and busy this summer, we've had a great year."

He added that the business enjoyed a year-on-year upturn most summers.

Jacyn Heavens, CEO of Epos Now said: “It’s unsurprising to see sales increase in British holiday resorts this year considering the events in Europe.”