A fast food chain wants to build two new drive-in restaurants in Brighton and Hove.

KFC, formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken, is targeting the towns as part of an aggressive expansion programme to open 300 new outlets by 2005.

If the plans go ahead, up to 60 full and part-time jobs could be created. Workers would also be needed to help construct the new buildings.

The chain has hired Crawley property consultants Vail Williams to find and buy new sites along the towns' main entry and exit routes.

Peter Spelman, leisure partner at Vail Williams, said: "We are looking at a number of things in Brighton but it is a tough market to crack."

Main problems facing the fast food giant are the lack of space and Brighton and Hove's tough planning regulations.

Mr Spelman said: "There is a lack of available sites. KFC needs them to be at least an acre in size, with a certain degree of prominence and visibility from the road. "

"The other issue is the council planning authority. It has a local plan which everything has to fit in with."

Mr Spelman said his company is looking at possible sites at Brighton Marina, in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, and in Lewes Road, Brighton.

He said: "I cannot identify the exact positions because it would give away our plans to our competitors but we do believe there are suitable sites available."

"Ideally, they would not be in the centre of town, where they would be hard to access by car.

If all goes according to plan, KFC hopes to have both branches open by 2003.