The Conservatives have been urged to bring their annual conference back to Sussex.

The call came as the party began its annual gathering in Blackpool.

Councillor Brian Oxley, opposition leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, has sent a letter to Chris Poole, secretary of the Conservative Party.

The Tories last came to Brighton in 1992 after attending regularly for many years.

They were put off by high hotel and bar prices and by welcoming speeches to their conference from Labour mayors which they considered hostile.

Coun Oxley said it was high time the conference returned to the city.

He said: "It would show that the dispute which took place between the old Brighton Borough Council and the party has now been put behind us."