Scooter fans can relive moments from the cult film Quadrophenia - by hiring bikes for £20 a day.

Brighton and Hove's streets could soon be full of mods bob-bobbing along on classic Italian vehicles rented from new company Vroom By The Sea.

Business owner Phil Jones believes there is a demand for people to explore the city on two wheels just like holidaymakers on the continent.

The company, based in Queens Place, Hove, has a fleet of 20 Honda CG125s, Piaggio Zips, Vespa LX 50 and LX125s.

Mr Jones, 37, said: "I have always loved Vespas and the iconic brands. Over the years my passions for these vehicles has grown.

"Brighton is synonymous with scooters and old bikes, largely because of Quadrophenia.

"I want hiring a scooter to be a must do activity for people in Brighton."

Quadrophenia, which is inspired by the 1973 double album released by The Who, tells the story of the 1964 Whitsun weekend violence in Brighton. Hundreds of teenage Mods and Rockers clashed on the beach and on the Palace Pier before attacking police officers who were trying to disperse them.

Mr Jones said: "I think my clientele will include Brighton residents who just want some wheels, where they can zip around the city and park for free or get away for the weekend.

"But it will also be popular with visitors who come for the weekend and maybe want to relive the Quadrophenia moments and enjoy Brighton's cafe culture.

"Scooters are easy to ride. Vespas are particularly steady and the 50cc vehicles are limited to 30mph."

Die-hard scooter enthusiasts believe the business will capture the imagination of tourists.

Steve Latter, a founder member of Brighton's Aces High Scooter Club, said: "It's a great idea and will be very popular, especially in the summer when the tourists visit.

"We do two or three parades a year on Madeira Drive and loads of people ask to have a drive on our scooters and we always take them for a ride on the back.

"People would love to relive the Quadrophenia film scenes. If they go to the right cafes, arches and along the seafront it will be fantastic for them."

Anyone who has had a full UK driving licence dated before February 1, 2001, can rent one of the 50cc scooters, otherwise riders will need to have passed the CBT.

Rental fees start at £20 per day for a Piaggio Zip or £30 for a Vespa LX50 including insurance.

  • UPDATE February 2015: The company has asked us to point out it no longer offers scooter hire.