A love of all things Moroccan is behind a new shop in Brighton.

The Souk has been opened by Nick and Jan Foster who have packed four rooms at the shop in Little East Street with art and artefacts from the North African kingdom.

Elaborate lights, ceramics, mirrors, pots, plates and mosaics decorate the walls with wrought iron furniture in traditional and modern styles.

The couple, who live in Brighton, got to know Morocco through a native of the country who now lives in Leeds but helps them when they go to Marrakesh or Casablanca on a buying trip.

Mr Foster said: "We import the entire range directly from Morocco having sourced the items ourselves.

"We believe Souk is unique in Brighton and Hove. No other shop has anything like the selection we have to offer.

"In fact until now anyone looking for genuine Moroccan artifacts would have had to go to London.

"Morocco is now a really popular holiday destination and when people come back they often want to find pieces of furniture or decorations to remind them of the country.

"The mosaic-tiled tables have grabbed the attention of a lot of customers and the wrought iron screens are popular.

But it is the lanterns and handpainted henna lamps that get the most admiring looks.

"Moroccan artist and craftsmen have perfected the use of abstract patterns to an extraordinarily high degree and the distinctive designs are only now becoming popular with home owners and interior designers."

"The Souk is only a small shop and we display as much as we can without making it look too crowded.

"We take orders from customers who cannot find what they want.

"For example, the mosaic tables can be made to order in terms of size, shape and type of pattern."

More information about The Souk on 01273 776477.