A family-run photographic gallery has landed a major deal with British Airways which will see its photographs displayed inside passenger jets.

First Light, in Nile Street, Brighton, has produced a series of patriotic images for the national flag carrier which is revamping its business-class cabins.

The pictures show iconic British landmarks, including Brighton beach, and will be hung inside 240 airliners until 2009.

The images are available on BA's web site and have been printed on the airline's in-flight cutlery and mugs which are being sold as a gift pack.

The airline wanted to replace its current decor scheme - various black and white photographs of European landmarks - with something more British.

First Light's co-owners Mark and Anna Nelson were asked to take on the project by one of the airline's managers who was impressed by their gallery.

Peter Cooke, BA's design manager executive, explained: "I have lived in Brighton all my life and have often walked past First Light and stopped to look in the window.

"I realised the pictures would be ideal."

Lensman Mark and three other photographers went through 60 rolls of film photographing cities like Edinburgh, Liverpool, Oxford and Brighton and famous landscapes like the Yorkshire Dales.

Mark, 53, said: "We have done some fairly major interior work before but we have never been commissioned by a such a famous blue chip to do such a huge project.

"It is phenomenal for a small company to win a contract like this and it is almost impossible to quantify how much we could make out of it. We are just very proud to fly the flag for Brighton."

Anna, 49, said: "It has been a very steep learning curve.

"But BA have been very good to work with, very open and receptive about our ideas, so while it has been a huge challenge, it has been enjoyable and worthwhile."