Traders are bidding to ensure more of the rates they pay are spent on their community.

Members of the Brighton and Hove Business Forum wants the city centre to become a Business Improvement District, which means a portion of their rates could be clawed back for projects such as Christmas lights, graffiti removal or better lighting.

The businesses involved get to vote on what the money is spent on.

Spiralling rates are a huge problem for traders in Brighton and Hove and they have often complained they get little back for their money.

The scheme would probably include North Laine and The Lanes but the business forum would hold a referendum to see which businesses wanted to take part.

City centre manager Soozie Campbell said: "The council is in favour but we are just waiting for them to rubber stamp it.

"It would mean the most fantastic Christmas lights and enough money to clean graffiti every day, as well as a whole host of other things to make the city centre a nicer, safer place. You can't put a price on that."

Thursday, October 20, 2005