The image of the bronzed surfboarder is a world away from that of the computer geek.

But designers have launched a gadget to unite both types of surfer, letting them pick up emails while waiting to catch a wave.

Next week a surf addict will take to the sea off Brighton with a surfboard sporting a built-in wireless laptop.

The board, one of five in the world, will be on display at a seafront exhibition starting on Saturday.

Organiser Peter Robinson said: "People have such busy lives, I can imagine this idea really taking off. This is a truly remarkable piece of kit. It could be the answer to many surfers' dreams.

"It means if they wanted to they could take the office out to the place where they all want to be - the sea."

Mr Robinson, a Meridian television presenter, said Brighton was the perfect spot to test-drive the gadget, dreamed up by staff at computer chip firm Intel, because of the wireless internet access available on the beach.

The board was made by a Devon firm and has been touring exhibitions around the world for two months.

This week it is in France and after Brighton it will head off to Russia.

Mr Robinson said: "Intel was excited about the fact Brighton already had the wireless network.

"It's the perfect marriage for the company between technology and surfing."

The 8ft fibreglass board will among more than 40 boards on show as well as early wetsuits, vintage books, magazines, photos, films and contemporary surfing art.

Mr Robinson hopes to open a permanent surfing museum in Brighton.

The British Surfing History exhibition runs until October 9 at the Brighton Fishing Museum Gallery, 203 King's Road Arches. Admission is free.

Visit www.thesurfingmuseum.co.uk for details.