Celebrities and community leaders turned out for the opening of a swish cocktail bar.

Champagne corks flew as the doors were officially opened at the 106 Brasserie and Lo Lounge at the Hilton Metropole, Kings Road, Brighton.

The 106 Brasserie is a restaurant bar and the Lo Lounge a downstairs club.

The venue, which used to be the club Iniquity, has been closed since January for refurbishment and the new development.

Situated below the hotel, the Lo Lounge is a 250-capacity late-night lounge bar and club catering for the over 21's crowd.

Actor Chris Ellison, from Hove, famous for his role in ITV's The Bill, was spotted at the event sharing a glass of bubbly with 106 Brasserie manager Peter Hales.

Steve McNicholas from the West End show Stomp was also there as well as actor Ralph Brown, who played spaced-out Danny in the movie Withnail and I.

Company directors were also there, including Glen Mishon of Mishon Mackay estate agents, Neil Lewis, owner of the club Vertigo and Ben Gill, owner of The Ocean Rooms club.

Others in attendance were Keris Burt from the BBC and jewellery designer Mandy Carter.

DJ Pete Heywood, the salsa latino band Cuatro Monos, or Four Monkeys, and the DJ 'Henry' kept the crowd entertained for the evening.

Susanna Petitpierre, promotions and events manager for 106 Brasserie and the Lo Lounge, said: "It was a really fantastic night and lots of people turned up.

"We probably had about 300 people come through the doors in the course of the night.

"We actually opened a few weeks ago just to check everything was running smoothly, but our official opening was on Wednesday night. Everyone had been looking forward to it.

The decor is for a stylish cocktail bar.

"There was a selection of music to keep everyone entertained and everyone had a good time."

For further information email info@lolounge. com