Pig's trotter, roast partridge, woodpigeon, pate de foie gras... When it comes to entertaining it seems nothing is too extravagant or exotic for Brighton and Hove.

Flamboyant council chief executive David Panter has splashed out thousands of pounds to ensure local politicians and visiting entrepreneurs are always given a menu to remember.

An investigation by The Argus has revealed Mr Panter spent more than £5,000 of public money in a year of wining and dining for the good of the city.

The style-conscious chief also kitted out his new office in King's House, Hove, with two designer armchairs - at a cost of more than £800 - which he also put on his corporate credit card.

Mr Panter, whose own salary is soon to be increased with a £25,000 rise to £145,000, has spent a total of £1,299 at The Grand hotel alone.

As well as a string of business breakfasts, one dinner at the hotel cost £381.

The drinks bill at a thank-you bash for organisations which had backed the failed Capital of Culture bid came to £135.

Mr Panter spent a further £889 hosting business meetings at the trendy Hotel du Vin.

Other spending included £422 at an awards dinner held at the five-star Le Meridien Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London, where he was accompanied by members of the council's public relations department, plus £303 at the five-star Hilton Hotel, also in Park Lane.

Today's revelations have split political opinion in the city, with Labour saying they are happy to stomach the bill as long as it helps to promote Brighton and Hove.

The opposition appears less able to swallow Mr Panter's spending, suggesting his tastes may be verging on the lavish.

Indeed it is not that many years since Labour's leaders thrashed out their deals over a pint of mild and a ham sandwich.

For them, fine cuisine meant big portions - and plenty of gravy.

Mr Panter's receipts demonstrate how times and tastes have changed when it comes to the man at the helm of today's Labour-led administration.

Some understand his eagerness to show visitors why the city claims to be culinary capital of the South.

Mr Panter himself insists he has not been overly flash with the cash.

He said: "I have spoken to people and asked what they thought my corporate credit card bill should be and they all came up with figures several times in excess of £6,000.

"I know I am very careful in the use of what at the end of the day is public money."

Council leader Ken Bodfish backed his colleague and said: "David has to meet these people on a regular basis and he has to buy them cups of tea and take them out to lunch. It is as simple as that."

A glance through the receipts, obtained by The Argus under new legislation intended to allow the public to scrutinise how public money is spent, suggests tea features quite low down the list.

A nice bottle of Bogle Petir Syrah or Beaujolais is much more likely to grease the wheels of diplomacy.

The £6,056 bill, which includes the two armchairs, from Mr Panter accounts for the bulk of the £10,771 spent by the council's five corporate credit card holders during the last financial year.

The second biggest spender was deputy chief executive Alan McCarthy, who spent £3,328.

One of Mr Panter's favourite spots is The Grand hotel in Brighton where he regularly enjoys its £27 business breakfasts as well as the odd dinner.

Another restaurant to his taste is the trendy Hotel du Vin.

Management at the hotel declined to comment, describing Mr Panter as a "valued customer".

Little wonder when in just one month he ran up a £440 credit card bill there.

Other Brighton restaurants include The Strand, The Latin in the Lane, Dig in the Ribs, Browns, Zafferelli's, Saucy, Donatello, Sante Fe, Moshi Moshi, Terre a Terre and Havana.

But these enjoyable evenings could leave a rather bitter aftertaste for the chief executive.

Conservative opposition leader Brian Oxley said: "David Panter has an ambassadorial role but given the council's financial situation clearly every penny of expenditure needs to be very carefully scrutinised."

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Elgood said: "There is a certain amount of entertaining that is appropriate with his position but this seems to go beyond that."