Brighton has benefited to the tune of about £5 million this week as delegates flocked to the Liberal Democrat conference.

Every hotel bed was taken and restaurants enjoyed good business.

There has also been the hidden benefit of national TV and Press coverage showing Brighton looking at its best in the sunshine.

Now negotiations are taking place to ensure the conference returns to Brighton in the future.

The Lib Dems have been there two years in a row but are booked into Bournemouth in 2004.

Councillor Paul Elgood, leader of the city council Lib Dem group, said: "We hope to have them back for another two years after that."

Much depends on the future of the Brighton Centre, scheduled for demolition after 2005, and replacement with another building yet to be determined.

Coun Elgood said: "This has been a fantastic week. There has been a really good feeling among delegates.

"We started with the result in the Brent East by-election and have now reached 28 per cent in the opinion polls.

"Liberal Democrats are challenging Labour in key areas and on policies while the Tories are being left behind.

"The city has been giving a great welcome to the delegates and has really looked after them well."

City tourism head Adam Bates said it had been a successful conference, with sunshine helping to make it a good week for the delegates.

He added: "Conferences like this are vital to the city's economy and bring in £30-50 million to the city each year."

Apart from the money brought in directly, the additional national profile of these conferences made an important contribution to putting Brighton and Hove on the map.

Mr Bates said: "This is why we are working hard to provide alternative venues during the years that the Brighton Centre will be closed.

"I'm pleased to say that the Liberal Democrats are very happy with the arrangements and with staff at the Brighton Centre.

"They have recently lost their conference manager so have been relying on Brighton Centre staff."