Dolhpin spotting is something people normally dream of doing on an exotic holiday and not along the Sussex coastline.

But warmer, longer summers and milder winters are encouraging more and more of the people-friendly mammals to swim off our shores.

One group is so sure dolphin sightings will become a regular occurrence off Brighton beach it has set up a spotting hotline.

Biologist Stephen Savage, who is Sussex regional co-ordinator of the Sea Watch Foundation, said: "A lot of people are very surprised to hear we have dolphins here.

"There are actually 27 species of dolphin across Britain - a quarter of all mammals here. When they are around it is easy to see them from the shore."

Dolphins are most commonly recorded between March and September and have been seen most at sites off Worthing, Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings.

They are often seen as close as 100 or 200 metres from the shore.

The foundation, which uses trained volunteers, has been monitoring Sussex waters since 1991.

Mr Savage has now helped to set up a hotline to make it easier for people to report sightings.

When the hotline is manned, the organisation hopes to be able to send someone along to film and collect information.

At other times they are asked to leave details of the sighting.

Mr Savage said: "Many casual sightings go unreported because people are not sure who to call. With all these extra pairs of eyes we should be able to keep a better record.

"It's part of a national programme, which is all part of the conservation work we are trying to do. It's also to help people learn more about dolphins and increase awareness."

The species most commonly seen off Sussex is the bottlenose dolphin.

It is one of 27 species of dolphin and whale recorded around the UK coastline, 14 of which are regularly seen.

But Mr Savage said there was still a world of interesting sea creatures yet to be discovered.

He said: "People think of going to a coral reef or something to find interesting wildlife and don't realise there is plenty off the Sussex coast."

Anyone who spots a dolphin should try to note its location, whether there are any others, the date and time, the direction it is swimming in, the rough distance from shore and the general sea conditions.

If possible, a physical description and record of behaviour could also be noted.

To report a dolphin sighting, call 07773 610036.

A national dolphin watching weekend is due to begin on August 28.