Centuries of tradition will come to an end as the new Archdeacon of Chichester leaves the historic cathedral city for Brighton.

Canon Douglas McKittrick will be the first archdeacon to live away from the city which gives the diocese its name.

Canon McKittrick, 49, who succeeds the Venerable Michael Brotherton in October, will be based in Brighton and Hove in recognition of the importance of the new city.

He has been based in Brighton as the vicar of St Peter's with the Chapel Royal since 1997 and Rural Dean of Brighton since 1998.

He will remain at his Brighton vicarage as he takes on responsibility for the 129 churches throughout the archdeaconry, together with more than 130 clergy.

He said he hoped the decision would allow him to continue the close relationship he had built up with civic and community leaders in the city.

He said: "For the first time a member of the Bishop's senior staff will live in Brighton and Hove.

"This is a clear recognition of the importance of the new city.

"I will be familiar to people there but now I am excited by the thought of being able to work beyond Brighton and Hove.

"I hope my experience of engaging with so many different strands of life in the city will equip me well to engage with others in my new area of responsibility.

"I will continue living in what is now the largest city in the diocese but I am acutely aware my responsibilities will be very much wider as archdeacon."

Canon McKittrick, who is single, will continue to live at St Peter's Vicarage and will also have an office base at Church House in Hove.