Diners got hot under the collar when Latino passions swept into town.

Flamenco dancer Anna Duenas Leon brought her flame red ruffles, swivelling hips and stamping feet to the Food restaurant in Worthing for one night only.

She wowed the crowds with traditional flamenco dance as they tucked into their tapas and dreamt of hot, romantic Spanish nights.

Food owner Andrew Sparsis decided to hold a flamenco night because he thought it would be a bit different, colourful and fun.

He said: "We had a fantastic reaction. She is a stunning lady, the dance is really powerful and the Spanish guitar is loud. You get quite a shock - you almost feel a bit uncomfortable."

Guests were eased into the Spanish flavour with free sherry all lunchtime and a special Andalucian tapas menu designed by consultants who were sponsoring the event.

Mr Sparsis believes Worthing has growing kudos. He said: "Times are changing in Worthing - it is becoming quite a trendy town. People are starting to see it as a really serious place and not just a by-product of Brighton."

Ms Leon swirled and twirled for two hours on a stage in the middle of the restaurant, surrounded by guests for the authentic flamenco style.

She is from Cordoba in Southern Spain, though she now lives in Brighton, and has travelled all over the world dancing and teaching with her brother Jose on guitar.

She said: "Flamenco is a powerful, dynamic and sensual dance. English people love flamenco because there's a lot of repression in British culture and when they see me perform they tap into the emotion.

"The dance is all emotion and passion. If I'm feeling sad, I will express it with a more melancholy, mourning dance like Solea. Or if I feel joyful I will dance the Alegria."

The restaurant's Spanish theme continues this week with flamenco guitar at lunchtime every day. It has gone down so well, Food plans to repeat the show in the summer.