A Conservative MP has welcomed Labour party delegates to town.

About 10,000 people are expected to visit Brighton over the next five days as part of the annual event.

Tourism bosses claim it will boost the local economy by up to £15 million into the local economy as retailers, hotels and restaurants all benefit.

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Simon Kirby, Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, said: “I am pleased to welcome Labour members to Brighton for their conference and I am sure that they will enjoy everything the city has to offer!

“They will be very welcome in a city which is seeing the return of economic growth and business confidence as well as plummeting unemployment.

“I am sure that once they have enjoyed the excellent hotels, bars, restaurants and attractions, Labour members will see how important tourism is to Brighton and definitively rule out any tourism tax which would damage the city.

“I am very much looking forward to watching the conference to see if any members of the shadow cabinet will suggest a single policy or idea for Britain’s future, and to see if Ed Miliband can start to assert some control over his party.”

It is the first time the party has returned to the city since 2009 – the conference before the 2010 General Election which saw Labour lose control of Government.