The Seaford Town Council clerk has resigned after a string of high-profile incidents at the authority.

Sam Shippen quit her role yesterday following an investigation into accusations of bullying, incompetence and infighting among councillors and staff.

A statement from Seaford Town Council said: "Both the council and Mrs Shippen accept that the matters under investigation are complex, deep-seated and difficult to resolve.

"To enable both the council and Mrs Shippen to move on from the situation Mrs Shippen has offered her resignation which the Council has accepted.

"The council and Mrs Shippen consider the matter closed and will be making no further comment. The council wishes Mrs Shippen well in the future and to thank her for the positive contributions she has made to the Town Council."

In February Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, accused the council of giving an “extraordinary amount of decision-making to the town clerk” which was “unwise and undemocratic”.