Vending machines offering edible underwear and sex aids have created good vibrations in bars and clubs around Brighton and Hove.

The orange boxes have been springing up around the city in recent weeks, providing a welcome relief to anyone who forgot to bring out their kinky handcuffs.

Popular lines include mini-vibrators and Choc-agra, a chocolate with a mooted Viagara-style pick-me-up.

The Naughty Vend dispensers have been brought to the city by Andy Benn, 41, who had grown tired of the world of finance and found the business idea on the internet.

He bought the rights to the vending machines in the Brighton area and has found a ready market for the merchandise.

He said: "In a way, it is this century's answer to the Kiss Me Quick hat. The biggest seller is the vibrator, which costs a fiver. These outsell everything else by miles.

"Boys buy them just as much as girls and stick them in their mates' pints or in their pockets when they're not looking. They're not necessarily used for the intended purpose.

"Brighton is a Mecca for hen and stag nights. At the Babylon Lounge they have 120 hens every week and the machines are doing a roaring trade."

The novelty items are sold in the toilets of bars around the city alongside more orthodox vending machines.

Cameras and lighters are also on offer but the more bizarre items include Mojo wipes, said to contain pheromones to boost pulling power.

It is a far cry from Andy's previous incarnation in the financial world.

He said: "I was the manager of a credit company for a long time but got fed up with it and wanted a change.

"There were pressures and deadlines and I thought there had to be more to life.

"I was looking for business ideas after coming into some money.

"The usual franchises are all walking peoples' dogs or printing and have all been done before.

"But I was looking on a web site for national franchises and saw this in a little corner. I thought the Brighton franchise would have already been taken but it hadn't.

"I said I would give it six months to make it work and it has easily met my expectations. I have been growing the business but this is the quietest period of the year. It should really take off in the summer.

"If this doesn't work in Brighton, it won't work anywhere."