When the plot twists and turns of BBC soap EastEnders wind their way outside Albert Square, the Sussex coast is proving the most popular place for a change of scene.

On Tuesday, Kat Slater headed off for Brighton with her boyfriend while the latest storyline to include the city involves loveable barman Alfie Moon planning a day trip down memory lane to help his nana battle the onset of dementia.

It is not the first time scriptwriters have driven down the M23 for inspiration.

Many of the soap's biggest moments have taken place by the sea.

In 1996, barmaid Tiffany, played by Martine McCutcheon, was heartbroken - well until she hooked up with Grant - when her brother Simon and boyfriend Tony ended up sharing one of British teatime telly's few gay snogs in view of Palace Pier.

Following her death - she was accidentally run over by Frank Butcher - it was revealed her favourite place when she was a child was Peacehaven.

Grieving Grant decided the town would be the perfect place to scatter his bride's ashes and in December 1998 a photographer from The Argus captured the emotional scenes being filmed near Seaford.

Two years later the young guns of Walford descended on Brighton for a week-long EastEnders special and, in true soap fashion, it was a holiday from hell for most of the characters.

First, Frank's daughter Janine was sent home in disgrace for being away without permission.

Then smooth-talking Beppe confessed to ex-prostitute Nina he had seen Ricky having an affair with Sam Mitchell.

As the trip was meant to help save Ricky and wife Bianca's marriage, the news, when it got back to the fiery redhead, didn't go down too well.

But the most shocking twist happened on the pebbles as Mel (Tamzin Outhwaite) got it on with clubowner Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) behind her then fianc Ian's back.

The Walford to Brighton tour bus had more passengers in May 2001, with affairs of the heart once again top of the agenda.

Lynne Slater was hoping the sea air would help romance hapless fiance Garry into getting married while street cleaner Robbie searched for his long lost father.

And in a city famed for dirty weekends, young mechanic Jamie upset the youngest Slater sister Zoe. The pair slept together but when the clothes were back on, she was devastated to be told in no uncertain terms it was a one-night stand.

The soap's producers say they love filming in Brighton.

A spokeswoman said: "Brighton has been used over the years by EastEnders for all sorts of holidays, trips and liaisons. As a fantastic seaside resort close to London it is the perfect location."