Pop bands do it to promote new releases, Jordan said she would do it when she gave birth and one US television network wanted to do it when Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh was executed.

The live internet webcast has become the latest means of flashing moments of high drama around the world in milliseconds.

Now East Sussex County Council is joining the revolution.

While it may not have the instant appeal of a Britney Spears premiere, officers at the authority reckon the political cut and thrust from the council chamber will prove a surefire internet hit.

First on the bill will be the budget-setting meeting, which will be beamed into homes around the globe from County Hall in Lewes on February 17.

Councillor Bob Tidy, lead councillor for e-government, said: "We want more of our residents to see decisions being made about issues that interest them.

"East Sussex is a large area and some people, especially those living in the east and north of the county, find it difficult to get to Lewes to attend meetings.

"Many will now be able to see local government in action on their own home computers."

The project, which can be found on the web site www.eastsussex.gov.uk, has been developed along with UK Council, the public sector webcasting company.