A dislike of commuting and a love of Brighton prompted friends Kate Merrin and Lauren Lambe to start their own model agency in the resort.

The two first met when they were students at Brighton College but both moved away from the town for further education and to pursue their careers.

Kate has worked in London for the past seven years and has been working in the TV and video industry as a production manger.

She was involved in a number of high-profile projects for ITV networks.

Lauren went to Bournemouth to gain her BA Hons in advertising management and then worked for several model and promotion agencies in the South before moving to London, where she worked for Gavin's Models in Mayfair.

Having gone their separate ways, they returned to Brighton with well established professional backgrounds.

It was while they were discussing the problems of commuting and their ambitions that they hit on the idea of starting their own agency for models, TV and film extras and promotional staff - Fresh Agents.

Kate said: "I got fed up with commuting and Lauren and I had the right backgrounds to start an agency.

"We were both experienced in the work and we have both got plenty of contacts in the business.

"We have been good friends for years and get on really well. We are both hard workers."

Their keenness to get the business up and running meant they had to operate from a room in a flat.

But this week sees them take over offices in Queens Road.

Lauren said: "Fashion was not my first choice for a career - for years I wanted to be a Blue Peter presenter.

"But I settled for fashion and I've really enjoyed it but I wanted to be in Brighton.

"Fresh Agents have already found work for extras and models and people in the promotions business.

"We are ready to take on people looking for work in these fields and we are looking for the faces of the future in Sussex.

"There are no signing on fees or photographic fees."

They are also looking for up-and-coming photographers, designers and make-up artists.

The early days of Fresh Agents are being filmed for a documentary by Bazal Productions. It will be shown on TV later this year.

The agency can be contacted on 01273 203878.