Film-maker Richard Harris was determined to capture the last days of a seafront cafe for a documentary.

He filmed staff and customers at The Meeting Place in the run-up to the Thirties kiosk being knocked down.

The wooden structure, on Hove seafront, is to be demolished and the business moved only 10ft away.

Mr Harris said: "When I first moved to Brighton and Hove I thought The Meeting Place was really scruffy and run-down.

"But when I began making this documentary I realised how much of an institution it was. It is really important to people in the community and so many people go there on a regular basis.

"It has a charm and magnetism about it. I have become an honorary regular."

Cafe owner Rodney Posner, 55, took over The Meeting Place in 1977.

He wanted to expand the cafe on its original site but Brunswick Gardens, Hove, is covered by a preservation order.

There is no such restriction just 10ft away across the old town boundary in Brighton so Mr Posner decided to build a new cafe there.

He received planning permission three years ago but spent most of that time in lease negotiations with Brighton and Hove City Council.

He finally signed the lease on April 4 and is looking forward to opening a new 40ft-long kiosk in August.

He said: "I will be sad to see the old cafe go but it's hard to maintain. There are lots of nooks and crannies that are difficult to clean.

"The Meeting Place is very popular and our existing building is too small to cope."

The documentary, called Meeting Place, will form part of the Brighton Fringe Film Festival.

It will premiere at Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton, on Friday.

Mr Harris, who owns the film company Bigbamboo, said he was excited about promoting the 20-minute film.

He said: "When the audience see it they will be able to relate to it.

"It is a professional film and I hope to be able to offer it to local broadcasters."

Jane Kirby jane.kirby @theargus.co.uk