A woman who began her career with a work placement at The Grand in Brighton has returned to the seafront hotel as senior assistant manager.

Nancy Mollett spent a year at the five-star Grand from 1990 to 1991 as part of her HND course in hotel, catering and institutional management.

Once qualified, she worked in Hastings before returning the Grand in 1995 as event manager. After two years she was promoted to conference and banqueting manager, leaving to join the crew of a yacht sailing from Florida to California through the Panama Canal.

She rejoins the Brighton hotel after two years as conference and banqueting manager at the five-star Le Meridien Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

She said: "There is a certain indefinable magic about the Grand that draws people, both guests and staff, back.

"A number of employees have returned after working elsewhere and I'm delighted to be one of them."