Members of the Sussex Law Society have elected solicitor Hugo Hunt as its new president.

A partner in FitzHugh Gates, Mr Hunt takes over from Hilary Tilby.

As the Sussex Law Society's 70th president he will head a 600-strong professional body representing lawyers in Brighton and Hove, Mid Sussex, Lewes and Crawley.

Mr Hunt's election coincides with the launch of the society's web site.

He said: "During my year in office the theme will be communication and adapting to change, with the focus on developing and consolidating the web site."

A former Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School (now BHASVIC) student, Mr Hunt has been a solicitor for more than 25 years, having switched to a career in the law after obtaining a degree in geology from Sheffield University.

A keen amateur mountaineer, he travels the world in pursuit of his hobby and has climbed in the Andes, the Himalayas and the Alps.