Phelim Mac Cafferty has been named the new leader of the Brighton and Hove Green Party. 

Councillor Mac Cafferty was elected at a full party meeting this evening defeating Councillor Leo Littman to claim the title of convenor.

The Brunswick and Adelaide councillor received 55.7% of the vote while the Preston Park councillor received 44.3% at the meeting attended by more than 100 Brighton and Hove Green Party members.

Councillor Mac Cafferty replaces outgoing Jason Kitcat who opted not to stand at the local elections and announced he was stepping down from the position last summer.

He previously chaired the planning committee under the last adminstration and represents his ward alongside fellow Green councillor Ollie Sykes.  

Councillor Mac Cafferty spoke to an Argus reporter following his re-election on Saturday.

He said: ""Our work is not finished and it is not going to be finished. This is about changing society over a period of time - we are mid way through what we see as a project."

The announcement comes as the Conservative group announced the re-election of leader Councillor Geoffrey Theobald earlier today.

The Green Party currently hold 11 seats on Brighton and Hove City Council have a disappointing showing at the local elections where they were ousted by the Labour party as the leaders of the council.