Increased optimism about the economy has resulted in more companies funding luxury trips for selected staff.

The trend has meant a big boost in business for some of Sussex's top hotels.

Kevin Berry is conference manager at the famous five-star hotel on Brighton's seafront, the Grand.

He said: "While larger organisations have long recognised the value of such rewards and been able to offer them, smaller companies haven't always been in a position to compete on the perks front.

"However, we are now experiencing a growing demand for overnight or short-break packages for anything from a handful of employees to several hundred."

Electrical giant Dixons is a regular and will shortly be sending in excess of 300 sales staff to the hotel.

A company spokeswoman said: "There is an awards ceremony in Hove during the afternoon and then we will take our staff and their partners for an overnight stay at the Grand.

"We have been using the hotel for seven years now.

"We keep going back because the service we receive is absolutely first-class from start to finish."