Brighton and Hove Albion football club chairman Tony Bloom officially opened the new Hillel student centre in Brighton.

Around 60 people attended the event at the revamped centre at the city's Middle Street Synagogue.

Mr Bloom welcomed the new facility and said it was important for students to have somewhere to turn for help during difficult times on campus.

The centre has been refurbished with funds raised by the Brighton Hillel Committee under the guidance of UJS Hillel. The committee purchased the centre in 2009 for £350,000.

It now offers meeting rooms, kosher kitchens and lounges for more than 100 Jewish students at universities in the area.

Community support is vital to fund the new centre

Daniel Marcus of UJS Hillel said students could now be provided with space for all their social, cultural and religious needs, just a one minute walk from Brighton's sea front.

UJS Hillel director Gerry Lucas said it was vital for the community to continue to offer its support - and to help to fund the centre's operating costs.

Aileen Hill, of Brighton Hillel Committee, opened and closed the ceremony and invited guests to tour the synagogue.