Founded in 1949 by just 10 countries, the Council seeks to develop  common and democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights throughout Europe.

Between 18th and 20th April it will be holding its annual conference at the Brighton Centre where 500 delegates are expected to agree a declaration on human rights in court cases.

It is widely anticipated that any agreement will come to be known as the “Brighton Declaration”, just as the cities of Schengen and Maastricht lent their names to previous agreements.

The conference will generate something in the region of £1m for the local economy.