A FORMER town mayor has been found guilty of bringing his council into disrepute over trips he took to China and return hospitality of Chinese delegates.

A Lewes District Council standards panel has ruled this morning that former Peacehaven mayor Robbie Robertson had also used his ceremonial role "improperly" in securing himself an expenses paid trip within China and had failed to follow protocols to receive permission to represent the council on the trip and in hosting delegates.

The panel ruled that "learning points" from the hearing would be fed back into Cllr Robertson's media training he will undergo on Tuesday which was recommended following another standards decision last month concerning his role as Lewes District Councillor.

The panel also recommended that Peacehaven Town Council work with Lewes District Council on their protocols around foreign visits for councillors and welcoming delegates from other countries.

The advice will also distributed to other town and parish clerks across the district.