A COLOURFUL tribute has been paid to a popular council leader who died last year.

Promenade steps in the home town of former Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch have been given a bright and inspiring makeover to celebrate his dedicated public service.

Mr Birch died in May last year during the general election campaign aged just 63.

The community arts project on the promenade steps of Warrior Square in St Leonards has been completed thanks to Hastings Youth Council working with Graffiti Plus.

It has been embellished with an inspiring inscription which reads "People let your voice be heard, every culture, every language, every word, fore this land this life this earth belongs to you. One Hastings Many Voices."

Mr Birch served on Hastings Borough Council for almost 20 years and enjoyed two spells as council leader between 2001 and 2008 and again from 2010 until his untimely death five years later.

He also served the area on East Sussex County Council for two decades.

He was rushed to hospital after falling ill in Hastings town centre on Friday May 1 and died five days later at Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

A room in Hastings Pier's visitor centre has also been named after the former leader.

Cllr Peter Chowney, who took over as leader of Hastings Borough Council from Mr Birch, said: “Jeremy played a huge role in Hastings over the 20 years he was involved in local politics.

"He was not only active in Hastings but across East Sussex, and, in fact, across much of the south east where he was involved in many different groups and partnerships over this time.

“The cultural diversity of St Leonards was very important to him and he coined the phrase ‘One Hastings Many Voices’.

"This new community art project in his memory is wholly fitting; he would have loved it.

"Our thanks must go to everyone that was involved in its creation.

Huda Caglayan, chair of Hastings Youth Council, said: "Jeremy was a very strong figure within the council who always supported our projects and campaigns.

"He constantly inspired us to do our best and believe that everyone deserve to have their voice heard.”.