The first Conservative "gay summit" will be vital to the party's chances of winning seats in Brighton and Hove at the next General Election, delegates have been told.

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, picked out the city as one of the parts of England where having a "dialogue" with the gay community could tip the balance.

The Tories need to retake seats like Hove, Pavilion and Kemptown - all Tory until 1997 - if they are to return to power.

Mr Summerskill's comments were backed by Nicholas Boles, the openly gay Tory candidate who will fight Hove at the General Election.

Mr Boles, who attended yesterday's Westminster summit organised by Wealden MP Charles Hendry, said former policies such as the defence of Section 28 had been obnoxious.

He said: "It is a bit presuming to suggest gay people will vote just on gay issues. Top of the list will be the NHS, public transport and the level of council tax.

"But where I think there is substance is that in previous elections the party made it pretty impossible for gay people to vote Conservative - even though they were naturally conservative on many issues."

"In Brighton and Hove that is important - they are an important part of the community."

He pointed to Tory leader Michael Howard's support of civil partnerships and the end of Section 28, which banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools.

The summit was addressed by Tory health and education spokesman Tim Yeo, TV doctor David Bull and Assistant Deputy Commissioner Brian Paddick of the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Hendry said the event was "a ground-breaking initiative, not just for the Conservative Party but for the gay community at large".