Brighton and Hove has put in an ambitious bid for back-to-back Labour Party conferences.

If it succeeds it could boost the city's economy by more than £20 million over two years.

A delegation headed by council leader Simon Burgess presented the city's case to Labour's National Executive on Friday.

The council wants the city to stage the conference in 2008 and 2009 but it will have to beat fierce competition from Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool and Bournemouth. Labour's new party chairwoman Hazel Blears and members of the National Executive were impressed by the Brighton and Hove bid.

Ms Blears is known to like the city because of its facilities and culture.

Councillor Burgess said: "Obviously they could not give any indication at this stage but I felt the bid was very well received.

"From speaking to delegates at previous conferences, Brighton and Hove is the resort they all really look forward to coming to.

"We are used to handling big events such as this and the security that surrounds it.

"It does cause some disruption but I think most people accept that it is an inevitable part of such a high-profile event."

Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo was also at the presentation to brief the executive on security.

Adam Bates, the city council's head of tourism, the managers of The Grand and Metropole hotels and the Brighton Centre's head of bookings also backed the bid.

The price and availability of hotel rooms during the conference has been criticised in the past.

Many delegates and visitors have complained rooms were either fully booked or too expensive.

Some conference visitors found themselves booked into hotels in Worthing, Eastbourne and others Sussex resorts.

Coun Burgess said: "Hoteliers in Brighton and Hove will be offering 20 per cent of their rooms at £60 or less per night during the conference.

"That will be on advanced bookings for four nights, which is a very good price for the top of the range four-star hotels."

The conference draws 20,000 visitors, delegates and traders who spend an estimated £10 million and media coverage gives the city valuable publicity all over the world.

Brighton Kemp Town's Labour MP Des Turner said: "I would be delighted for the city if this comes off.