More than 20 unusual buildings of historical and architectural interest are being opened to the public this weekend.

The Open Door event is being organised by the Regency Town House charity as part of a Europe-wide event.

The group is working to restore a terraced house in Brunswick Square and reopen it as a museum and educational resource centre in a project to encourage the preservation and conservation of 18th and 19th Century architecture.

In Britain, the national Heritage Open Days 2000 initiative is being co-ordinated by the Civic Trust on behalf of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Nick Tyson, curator of the Regency Town House Heritage Centre, said: "It's very easy to be blas about living in Brighton and Hove surrounded by all these magnificent buildings.

"We have done very little as towns to promote the area as a historic location and unless someone reminds us what an important place this is and how much history is in these buildings."

John Small, honorary secretary of the Regency Society in Brighton and Hove, said: "It's surprising just how much interesting and varied architecture is hidden from the public eye."

Buildings open during the weekend in September include the Regency Town House itself.

Restoration work is still several years from completion and visitors can go in on organised tours, but both No 13, built in the 1820s, and its basement annex at No 10 will be open to visitors.

Old police cells in Brighton Town Hall are expected to attract dozens of people. They were built by Thomas Cooper in 1830 and have had several uses in the past.

A police officer was murdered there when a criminal tried to escape and now the rooms are said to be haunted.

Buildings open to the public BRIGHTON Brighton Town Hall, Old police cells, Bartholomew Square, Brighton, Saturday, 10am to noon.

Synagogue, Middle Street. Sunday, 11am to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm.

Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

St Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4pm.

The West Pier, King's Road, Saturday and Sunday, 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

The Brighton Hippodrome, Middle Street, Sunday, 9am to 11am.

The Masonic Centre, 25 Queen's Road, Saturday, 10am to noon.

Montpelier Hall, Montpelier Terrace, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3pm.

Aldrich Library, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, Sunday between 1pm and 5pm.

St Michael's and All Angels Church, Victoria Road, Brighton, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm.

The Sir Ray Tindle Centre, Upper Gardner Street, Sunday, 2pm to 4pm including a talk by historian Geoff Mead at 2.30pm.

St Peter's Church, York Place, The Level, Saturday, between 10am and 5pm.

The Duke of York's Cinema, Preston Circus, Saturday, 11am to 5pm, Sunday, 2pm to 5pm.

HOVE The Regency Town House, Brunswick Square, Saturday/Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

St Andrew's Chapel, Waterloo Street, Saturday/Sunday, noon to 4pm.

The Old Market, Upper Market Street, Saturday, 1pm and 6pm.

Hangleton Manor Dovecote, Hangleton Valley Drive, Saturday/Sunday, 11am to 3pm. Please note: Only the inn will be open, not the house.

Brunswick Cottage, Brunswick Street West, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm.

ELSEWHERE Church of St George the Martyr, Kemp Town, Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Please note: There will be a service between 10.30am and 11.30am.

Ashcombe Toll House, on road to Kingston, off A27 near Lewes, Saturday/Sunday, noon to 4pm.

University of Sussex, Lewes Road, Falmer, Saturday/Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

Shoreham Harbour Lighthouse, off Old Shoreham Road, near Kingston Lane, Shoreham, Saturday morning tours only. Bookings on 01273 206306.

Stanmer Church, Stanmer Park, near Falmer, Saturday/Sunday, 2pm to 4.30pm.