Brighton and Hove's Conservatives have made a bid to bring their conference back to the city.

If successful it would be the first time since 1992 that Brighton has hosted the full Tory conference.

It would be more good news for Brighton after Labour revealed it would hold its conference in Brighton in 2008 and 2009. The back-to-back conferences are expected to give the local economy a £40 million boost.

Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude, MP for Horsham, has been asked to consider a return to Brighton.

Councillor Brian Oxley, leader of the city council's Conservative group, said: "I have written to the chairman asking that the annual conference to be held here again. I know that David Cameron is very keen that the event is held in different cities.

"The Conservatives have been back to Brighton for the Spring forum. But it is time that the full autumn conference made a return to the city.

"It would be a major investment for Brighton and Hove and have fantastic benefits for the local economy."

Tories used to come to Brighton every other year and alternated with Blackpool as the preferred venue.

The visits reduced to once every four years when the Bournemouth International Centre opened in the early Eighties.

Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet narrowly escaped death when the IRA bombed The Grand Hotel in 1984. The Conservatives defied the terrorist threat to return to Brighton in 1988 and 1992.

But partisan speeches by Labour mayors upset Tory grandees and the full conference has not returned since.

Labour's conferences in 2008 and 2009 are expected to attract 500,000 delegates, exhibitors and media to the city.

City council leader Simon Burgess, said after Labour chose Brighton: "We score well for two reasons.

"Delegates love the place as it is great fun and conference organisers love us because we're professional and helpful.

"About 13,000 jobs are dependent on visitors so this is great news for the economy."