A flagship internet firm at the forefront of Brighton and Hove's dotcom industry is considering quitting the city for London.

Digital media company Victoria Real, which employs about 40 people, may move to the capital to be closer to its clients and part-owner Endemol.

The company, responsible for running Big Brother's award-winning interactive web site, insists no decisions have been taken on its future, but cannot rule out a move.

Co-founder and managing director Rob Love said: "Moving is something we have been considering for a long time, but no decisions have been made and we have no definite plans to go.

"Endemol is based in London and we have plans to work even closer with them. Many of our clients are also based in London so in some ways it would make sense for us to move up there, so it is certainly an option.

"Having said that, we think Brighton is fantastic and it would be a shame to leave."

He added there were no plans to cut jobs.

Mr Love and three friends from Leeds Polytechnic set up Victoria Real in 1990 while studying communications engineering.

Their big break came in 1994 when they won a contract to provide interactive coverage of the World Cup Finals.

Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, emerging virtually unscathed when the dot-com bubble burst.

Their success was recognised in 2000 when they were given the task of setting up the hugely popular interactive Big Brother web site. In the same year, entertainment company Endemol took a 50 per cent stake.

A possible move to the capital has been confirmed by Endemol.

A spokesman said: "We have been in talks about this for a long time. We are having to go down to Brighton a great deal and likewise staff there are often having to travel up here. To cut back on travel costs and time, it may be simpler if we were closer."

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper urged the company not to leave.

He said: "For some time they have been one of the cornerstones of our reputation as a city for new media companies. They are a major player in the industry and it would be regrettable if they leave.

"Both MPs and the council remain committed to attracting people from the new media sector."