David and Victoria Beckham's lavish wedding helped inspire the dcor at a new Brighton bar.

It was a happier time for the couple - currently the subject of a media frenzy following claims David had an affair with a former aide - when they held court at their reception on a pair of purple and gold thrones.

These ornate chairs have now been recreated at Karma, the latest addition at Brighton Marina.

Or if guests prefer, they can retire to the VIP section with a glass of champagne and lounge on one of the large leather communal "beds".

The waterfront bar, with its Moroccan-style interior, is the brainchild of Shoreham businessman Paul Craig.

Bored with loud, banging clubs, his aim was to create a laid-back, sophisticated late-night bar for Brighton's thirtysomethings.

The £500,000 development is due to open this week following a celebrity-packed launch tomorrow.

Stars attending include Katie Price, aka glamour model Jordan, DJ Norman Cook, entrepreneur Anita Roddick and TV celebrities Gary Rhodes, Des Lynam and Dermot O'Leary.

Mr Craig, who owns the Blu restaurant in Worthing, said: "I wanted a theme that was warm and rich with a very decadent feel, something I think Brighton lacks. My vision was of a very relaxed late-night bar where people could socialise and avoid the stag and hen parties in town."

Many of the items decorating the bar, which will open until 2.30am, were brought over from North Africa, Thailand and India.

The huge copper lamps hanging from the ceiling were made in Marrakesh, while the DJ box was hand-carved in Casablanca.

Most of these items arrived in Brighton last week in the back of an articulated lorry.

They now decorate the bar and its cosy VIP area, furnished with brown leather bed-style padded areas, cushions and candles.

The 375-capacity bar, which also has seating for 100 people on the terrace overlooking the harbour, will open on Friday.