Sunny spells provided a glimmer of hope for seafront traders over the bank holiday period.

The tourism industry in Sussex has taken a battering from the miserable mid-summer weather and the weekend was a last opportunity to claw back some profits for many businesses which rely heavily on tourists.

Brighton's seafront businesses said trade was brisk yesterday despite the lack of sunshine.

Mark Bunker, assistant manager at the Gemini bar, said: "It went along nicely.

"The atmosphere was nice and people were sitting outside.

"We had a couple of hundred people here and the band was playing."

Shan Patel, manager of the Boardwalk restaurant, said: "Saturday was good, Sunday was really bad and yesterday was okay.

"I think people are making the most of the sunshine.

"Last year August was hot but when the weather is like this people don't come down to the seafront."