AN AMERICAN army captain has left $10,000 to the University of Brighton in his will after falling in love with the city.

Mario Grano lived in Brighton for six years after serving in the Second World War and studied at the then Brighton Technical College, which became the University of Brighton.

He gained a bachelors degree in economics and loved the city so much he regularly returned with his family from their home in Massachusetts.

Mario, born in Italy, came to study in Brighton through the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 – known informally as the GI Bill.

It provided benefits for returning American veterans, including tuition and living expenses for university study.

Mr Grano, who went on to work as an accountant for a manufacturing company in Massachusetts, died in 2013 at the age of 95.

Part of his will included bequests to the University of Brighton, which has charitable status. He donated the sum of $10,000, the current equivalent of £6,350, for the university’s St Peter’s House Library in Richmond Place.

The money will be used to purchase new books for the library.

Mr Grano’s daughter Jackie, who was born in Brighton, said she was proud of her father’s educational accomplishments, which also included studies at the London School of Economics.

Sam Davies, the university’s Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, said: “A plaque has now been installed in the entrance of the library in Mario’s memory and his daughter Jackie hopes to visit the UK later this year to see the tribute.

“This is a very touching story and we are very grateful to Mario and his family for the bequest.”

The university has also received a legacy gift from the estate of Leslie Willmot, who died last year, having served as a librarian at the former Brighton College of Art from the early 1960s.

Ms Davies said Mr Wilmott’s bequest is likely to be put towards the planned new academic building for the arts and humanities, including a specialist library, adjacent to the Grand Parade campus.

She said: “For a charity like the university, income received in the form of gifts via bequests is hugely important, not only in terms of the financial impact but also due to the significance of individuals choosing to directly support the university in this way.”