Brighton and Hove has cemented its reputation as the South's restaurant capital after 130 new premises opened in a year.

Council bosses say the city's cafe culture is booming. There were 2,162 catering bars, clubs and restaurants in the city at the end of March 2000 - and 2,292 by March this year.

Many of the new premises have opened in Western Road, Brighton, and Church Road in Hove.

Brighton and Hove already has more restaurants per head of population than anywhere in Britain outside London.

A council spokeswoman said: "We do not consider that to be a big increase. We continue to have the largest number per head outside London. A lot of the time one opens after another has closed so it does tend to remain static."

A Malaysian restaurant, Time, has opened in Church Road, Hove, in recent weeks. It brings the number of takeaways and restaurants there to at least 17.

There is already Harry's and Indian restaurants including Ashoka, Ganges, Indiana, Hove Tandoori and Zamdani.

Italian restaurants Topolinos Duo, La Piazza, Leonardo, Orsino and Otello also figure in the street, together with Los Amigos Mexican restaurant. There is also Golden Grill kebab house, Golden Fried Chicken, Mangerie and Barbecue Hut in the street.

Business leaders welcome the number of diners in the area and say it is good for trade.

Bob Miles, vice-chairman of Hove Business Association, said: "We do not need to worry about too many restaurants. Anything that brings people into the area is good.

"I think we need to be a little bit more concerned about the number of empty premises and if there is too much of anything it would be charity shops."