Council managers sent to drama workshops to learn political correctness have vigorously defended them.

The courses, costing £26,000, were described by a senior manager at Brighton and Hove City Council as, "the best course I have done at the council".

Another said: "Brilliant, really brought the issues to life - I will recommend the course to colleagues and my managers."

While a third said: "The workshop brought out feelings and awareness in a way that I have not experienced on other equalities training."

The council, which was accused of "institutional racism" last year by the city's racial harassment forum, sent 400 staff on the day-long sessions, which took up 2,800 hours of its most highly paid officers' time.

Managers were told the workshops would "help facilitate a change in negative behaviours".

They involved three actors from the Koru Collective who acted out two scenarios highlighting issues on race, disability and sexuality.

Participants watched role plays before asking questions of the actors as they remained in character. The scenarios are based on the issues faced by minority staff.

Brighton and Hove City Council defended the workshops and said they had received overwhelmingly positive feedback from senior managers taking part.

But Conservative councillor Peter Willows said: "We have got enough actors in Brighton and Hove council as it is.

"They can watch them without spending £26,000 on something like that.

"They like to waste their money on all sorts of peculiar ideas but not with my approval."

A council spokeswoman said: "The notion it has anything to do with political correctness is in itself insensitive.

"Every council is expected to provide its staff with training on equalities so that all groups of the population have equal access to services.

"This training is designed to make managers aware of the different requirements of these groups and the sensitivities involved.

"Failure to ensure equal access to all sections of the community could result in prosecution, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds so this has to be money well spent."