Councillor Graham Marsden became Eastbourne’s ‘first citizen’ at a mayor-making ceremony at the Town Hall.

Cllr Marsden recently stepped down from his role as leader of Eastbourne Borough Council and was delighted to be voted in as Mayor at the council’s annual meeting on Wednesday.

He said he was ‘privileged and honoured’ to have been elected.

And he revealed that his chosen charity was CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young.

"During my teaching career, at different times pupils sadly died from severe illnesses such as asthma.  Each event was tragic in itself.

"None more so than one day 10 years ago when a young student went home after a normal day at school and died suddenly, without any sign of apparent illness.

"Jeremy Cole was a member of my GCSE geography set.  He was a bright, active young man who left a caring and devastated family behind who had to try to come to terms with such an appalling loss.

"Significant research is required and since 1995 his family has worked tirelessly to provide funding for that research.

"I welcome Mr and Mrs Cole here today and look forward to working with them and CRY to raise the profile of this problem and to work towards providing the necessary research and equipment to carry out early warning testing."

Cllr Marsden also said he would be using the next 12 months to ‘raise the profile of Eastbourne and its many attributes’.

"I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor – Councillor Barbara Goodall has set a high standard as mayor and I intend to maintain that standard.

"Eastbourne may have its imperfections, but to my mind one would struggle to find anywhere better to live.

"It is an expanding town.  Since my early visits I have seen many green open spaces in the north and east of the Borough covered by housing estates.

"As elected representatives, it is our responsibility to ensure that any growth is carefully monitored to guarantee that it meets the highest possible standards of sustainability.

"We are the custodians of the environment and must ensure that future generations are able to benefit from it the same way we have been able to.

"Raising the quality of life for all residents must be a key aim of the council.  I am a strong believer in supporting local business, improving the local economy and raising the levels of skills available.

"One of my key aims this year will be to promote Eastbourne as a place for inward investment and economic regeneration.

"Improving and diversifying Eastbourne’s economy is fundamental to raising both the standard of living and the quality of life for all residents.  I am already in discussions with the Chamber of Commerce and others about how I can help to support and promote their aims."

Cllr Colin Belsey was voted in for another 12 months as deputy mayor.