Brighton and Hove restaurateurs have joined a scheme backed by The Argus to help homeless people find a better life.

Diners can now support a raft of projects tackling problems facing the luckless in society by eating out at any of the 28 restaurants in Brighton and Hove which have signed up to the StreetSmart 2001 initiative.

StreetSmart is new to Brighton and Hove but the amount of restaurants taking part beats London.

Nick Emley, director of StreetSmart, said: "For a city the size of Brighton and Hove, it's amazing. Now we can get on with the job of raising money for projects which tackle the homelessness problem, from alcohol addiction to family break-ups to those going in and out of care.

"It's important to remember what is raised in Brighton and Hove, stays in Brighton and Hove."

A voluntary £1 will be added to each table's bill to raise funds for the charity. It stays at £1 regardless of the number of diners.

It will run from now until Christmas. Every penny collected will be distributed to local charities, hostels and projects which support self-sufficiency for the homeless.

The Argus has teamed up with StreetSmart to encourage diners to patronise restaurants taking part in the scheme.

Barclays PLC has supported the campaign with a £25,000 donation to pay for administration and running costs, which means everything raised goes directly to homeless projects.

StreetSmart in Brighton and Hove is co-ordinated by Alison Ali and Charlie Bridge.

They joined Mr Emley and the restaurateurs to toast the launch of the scheme with champagne at Terre a Terre restaurant.

Philip Taylor, who co-owns Terre a Terre restaurant with Amanda Powley, said: "I like the idea of the restaurant community coming together. I think the customers will like it, especially at Christmas."

Restaurants taking full part in the StreetSmart in Brighton and Hove initiative are: Blind Lemon Ally; Ci Restaurant; Coriander Restaurant; Curve; English's Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant; Grapevine;

Krakatoa; La Petite Fourchette; Maharajah; Momma Cherri; Mosaic; New Whytes Restaurant; Oki-Nami; Prompt Corner; Quentin's; Rajah Restaurant; Regency; Saucy; Terre a Terre; The Tureen; Trogs; The Strand.

The following restaurants have opted not to take part in the £1 scheme but will put out collection boxes: Bankers; Leonardo Restaurant; Piccolos.

Others not taking part in the scheme but that have made a donation include Plaza, No Name Bar and Alfresco.