Eastbourne conferences bring £11m local economy boost

The borough council said it had promoted the town as a "stunning location" to the conference industry

Conferences being held in a seaside town this year are expected to boost the local economy by an estimated £11m.

Eastbourne has 21 conferences and exhibitions booked in the Devonshire Park Centre - the highest number in 10 years, the borough council said.

The local authority said 15,000 delegates would stay in the East Sussex town's hotels and guest houses this spring and autumn.

Tourism chiefs said they had been targeting the conference industry.

Councillor Carolyn Heaps, cabinet spokesman for tourism and leisure, said the council-run Eastbourne Conference Bureau worked closely with hotels and guest houses to provide a strong message throughout the industry that the town provided a "stunning location".