When it comes to being a fun boss, there are few who can beat Caraline Brown.

Caraline, who is managing director of Brighton-based PR agency Midnight Communications has seen her good efforts featured in a leading trade publication.

The company is regularly featured in the league of the UK's fastest-growing companies.

It proves the office does not have to be devoid of fun for a company to do well.

Caraline was featured in Computer Weekly, a trade paper for members of the IT industry, where she was singled out for creating a fun atmosphere in her office at Tower Point, North Road.

Fun highlights for her staff included pre-paying buskers outside the office window to play an employee's favourite tune.

Or taking the entire staff away to Amsterdam for the weekend.

Then there was organising a massive party to celebrate five years of business, complete with casino, candy floss and a DJ in the office.

And to top it all, Caraline and female members of staff dressed up in black leather to pose for a saucy Christmas card.

The cover of the card reads "We Whip You a Merry Christmas", while inside it continues "And A Spanking Good New Year - With Love From Everyone at Midnight Communications (We'll Never Flail You!)"

Staff at the firm said Caraline is very much an 'alternative' boss.

She recently introduced cactus plants on employees' desktops to help reduce radiation from VDUs.

Staff said her fun personality adds to the friendly atmosphere in the office.

Midnight's first and longest serving employee, Lindsay Edmunds, joined the company in its first year in 1995.

She is now managing director of the London office, working there with a team of three.

She said: "Right from day one, Caraline has always been an unconventional boss in the sense that she's always been keen to make the office a fun place to work.

"One of the best things about working with her is that you're never sure what will be next on the Midnight agenda.

"It could be abseiling for charity to jet-setting to Amsterdam for a company weekend - we've done it all."

But what does Caraline think about being the woman at the top?

She said: "Being a boss is rather like permanently hosting your own birthday party.

"You might be centre stage but at the same time you end up going flat out to make sure everyone else is enjoying themselves."

She said fun is essential for whipping up team spirit in the office and can include anything from treating staff to nights out on the town to organising brainstorming sessions on Brighton beach.

"A good boss is one who is on a level with their staff.

"I like to think I'm as approachable when I'm out with my staff as I am in the boardroom."