Thirty years of continuous service by a councillor will be recognised at a special ceremony tonight.

Brighton and Hove Mayor Jeane Lepper will host the reception in honour of Councillor Brian Fitch.

He first came to prominence in civic life in 1973 when he refused to stand for the loyal toast during a mayoral luncheon at the Royal Pavilion.

This outraged the patriotic medical officer of health, Dr William Parker, who poured a glass of wine over his head.

Coun Fitch responded by doing the same to Dr Parker.

He served as an opposition Labour councillor on Brighton council and East Sussex County Council.

His Labour group gained control of Brighton council in 1986 but lost overall control earlier this year.

That gave Coun Fitch, as chief whip and council liaison officer, the job of negotiating with the three other parties to ensure business ran smoothly.

He is a member of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board and, as chairman of parks in Brighton, was instrumental in starting the downland ranger scheme.

Coun Fitch, who lives with wife Norah in Holmes Avenue, Hove, serves as ward member for Hangleton and Hove.