Brighton and Hove will be the favourite destinantion among the more than 15 million Britons heading to the seaside this bank holiday - despite the recent dismal weather.

A survey suggests more than a fifth of the 15 million day trippers heading for the seaside will make the city their destination.

With a typical holidaymaker spending £172 in Brighton and Hove's restaurants, bars, shops and visitor attractions, the holiday could provide an injection of tens of millions of pounds into the local economy.

Trippers questioned by the Mint credit card company rated Brighton as their top seaside spot, with Blackpool runner-up and Whitby in North Yorkshire third.

Brighton and Hove City Council deputy leader Sue John said: "This is definitely my favourite place to spend a bank holiday weekend. Rain or shine there is a lot to do in Brighton and Hove."

August is likely be one of the wettest on record in Sussex according to the Met Office, which is reporting huge increases in rainfall for this time of year.

In an average August, 59.5mm falls on Sussex but 58.2mm had already fallen two weeks into this month.

But experts are predicting sunshine and temperatures of about 20C (68F) in Brighton and Hove over the bank holiday.

Jams are expected on the M25, A23 and A259 coast road.

While beachfront businesses and attractions have been suffering because of the poor weather the city's large indoor visitor centres have been enjoying a bumper year.

The Sealife Centre reported an eight per cent increase in numbers on last summer while numbers were 15 per cent up year-on-year in July and nine per cent up in August at the Royal Pavilion.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "If it's sunny it will be heaving. If not it will still be busy but with the emphasis probably more on indoor attractions and shopping. We'd encourage people to use public transport if they can."