A memorial service will be held tomorrow for the estimated 1,123 transgender people killed around the world last year.

A special tribute will be made to Andrea Waddell, a trans woman murdered in Brighton in 2009.

An estimated 3,000 people who identify themselves as trans live in Brighton and Hove, with about 300 thought to have had gender reassignment surgery.

Many trans people move to the city because of its liberal, LGBT-friendly reputation.

But earlier this week Transphobia campaigner Sarah Savage revealed how she was attacked by a drunken lout as she walked through Peacehaven.

And memorial organiser and trans support group the Clare Project warned Brighton and Hove had a “dark underbelly”.

Chairman Stephanie Scott said: “There are a lot of attacks that don’t get reported and a lot of verbal abuse.

“It can be very isolating. There’s always a fear of going out and meeting someone who’s had a few too many drinks. A lot of people come to Brighton because they think it’s safe and liberal and you are less likely to get attacked.

“But there’s dark underbelly that we all know about.

“I’ll probably get it in the neck for saying this but you’re more likely to get grief from gay men.

“It’s not aggressive but it can be very distressing – as it would be for anyone on the receiving end of unwanted attention.”

About 50% of trans people are estimated to have attempted suicide.

Killings are on the rise with particular risks in developing countries where social exclusion leads people towards drugs and prostitution.

The non-religious memorial service is organised by several trans organisations and will include a remembrance wall on which the names of trans people killed around the world are in the last year are placed.

The international Day of Remembrance was started in honour of an American woman Rita Hester murdered in 1998.

The seventh annual event is supported by Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council and will be held at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday.