There may be no such thing as a free lunch but The Argus is about to treat its readers to the next best thing.

Our most popular promotion, Dine for £10, returns on Friday with a selection of top class restaurants where up to six people can eat for £10.

More than 10,000 readers took advantage of last year's promotion, sampling the cuisine at some of the most exclusive restaurants in Brighton and Hove.

The Argus's promotions executive Lindsay China said: "This is our biggest promotion of the year and it brings in an extra 1,500 newspaper sales every day. We've chosen some really nice exclusive restaurants that people wouldn't normally have a chance to try."

Pam Birkby, brand manager at The Argus, said: "The restaurateurs like it because it means they are busy during what is usually a quiet time."

Kate Howard, bookings manager at Due South in Kings Road Arches, Brighton, said: "It gives people a chance to come and try our food for a much lower price than usual.

"They get a free glass of wine, and because they are saving money on the food, they have a chance to go further up the wine list and try some really interesting wines.

"When we had the competition on last year it was really busy, a bit too busy really, but I'm sure it brought in some new customers."

Alexander Cadogan, owner of The Saint in St James's Street, Brighton, said last year's promotion had brought in customers from Hove who would not usually travel to Kemp Town.

He said: "It's a great time of year to do it because it's a quiet period for us but with the promotion we are fully booked.

"About 30 per cent of the tables ordered off the set menu and bought extra bottles of wine."

Chris Edwards, owner of Blanch House Restaurant in Atlingworth Street, said: "The benefit of taking part is that it brings in new customers."

The Brighton restaurants in this year's promotion are Indian Summer, East Street, Due South, Kings Road Arches, Gars Chinese Restaurant, Prince Albert Street, The Latin in the Lane, Kings Road, The Saint, St James's Street, Seven Dials Restaurant, Buckingham Place, La Marinade, St George's Road and Blanch House Restaurant, Atlingworth Street.

In Hove, Vanilla in Western Road and Oki Nami in Church Road are also taking part. Some restaurants will not accept bookings for Friday or Saturday nights and none will accept bookings for Valentine's Day.

Tokens will appear in The Argus every day from Friday, February 3, and readers must collect three tokens and fill out a form to take up the offer.

A bonus token is also available on the Argus website from today. Go to www.theargus.co.uk/the_argus/body__soul/promotions/.