Brighton is delighted to welcome the Labour Party back to the town for its conference after an absence of three years.

It's not a matter of party politics. It's simply that hosting such an event gives the resort great kudos.

Over the next few days, images of Brighton will be beamed into homes all over Britain and many parts of the world as Labour gets down to some serious business.

Not only will the 20,000 and more delegates and visitors spend around £5 million in the town this week, but there will also be a ripple effect, caused by the acres of publicity.

Brighton is one of only three resorts big enough to accommodate these major party conferences.

Bournemouth and Blackpool are the others but, well, one is too staid and the other just too seedy.

That's why Labour is coming back to Brighton next year and may even be tempted to return the year after.

But Brighton must also try to woo back the Tories who have not been in town since 1992.

They were put off by high hotel prices and a combative speech of welcome by the Labour mayor which gained widespread publicity.

But Brighton and the Conservatives should have grown up since then and the Tories should be told they would be equally welcome in town.

Pad on the back Many people will regret the disappearance of the old paddling pool near the West Pier in Brighton.

After all, it gave good service to the seaside resort for 65 years.

But it has finally come to the end of its life and, let's be honest, it's not what children want these days.

By the look of plans for its elaborate replacement on the other side of the pier, the paddling pool should prove hugely popular with children and parents alike.

The new pool will also have an extensive play area, currently lacking on the main seafront, which will offer entertainment all year round.

Provided it is completed in time, it will be a welcome addition to Brighton's renovated seafront next summer.

Penny didn't drop Penny, the cat from Portslade, had the trip of a lifetime when she went to Holyhead in Wales by mistake.

She crept into the electrical compartment of a neighbour's lorry and wasn't discovered by the driver until near the end of his long journey.

He took her home and she is none the worse for using up at least one of her nine lives.

Luckily for her, this Penny never dropped.