Bathrooms at Brighton's Grand Hotel are getting a facelift in a £400,000 programme.

New luxury suites, illuminated and heated mirrors are being installed in addition to whirlpools in three of the bathrooms.

It is a far cry from when the hotel opened in 1864 and it was reported that all rooms had running water and the cost of a night's stay was the equivalent of 12 pence. Anyone wanting a bath had to pay an extra five pence.

Grand Hotel general manager Richard Baker said: "The bedrooms and public areas undergo regular upgrading and redecoration to ensure that our guests always enjoy the very highest standards. We are increasing the number of whirlpools because they are proving more popular, especially with honeymoon couples."