A mayor has written to councillors criticising them for not standing up when he enters the council chamber.

Tory councillor David Stevens, Mayor of Eastbourne, said several councillors had failed to observe the custom.

Oxford-educated Coun Stevens, 71, a former officer cadet in the Royal Sussex Regiment, argued he was only asking for conformity to a tradition he abided by for 20 years as a councillor.

He also criticised some councillors for not wearing gowns.

The letter says: "When I first joined the council it was customary for everyone to acknowledge the mayor by standing when he entered a room.

"This was a mark of respect for the office of mayor as the Queen's representative and the town's first citizen, not the individual.

"I have noticed during my term of office that several of the councillors appear ignorant of this custom.

"I therefore wish to draw all councillors' attention to this well-established mark of respect and hope that they will find no difficulty in complying with it.

"I also think it disappointing that some councillors no longer wear gowns in full council."

Coun Stevens' remarks come two months after he was sworn into office.

But opposition members of the Tory-run council described the letter, which went out to all 30 councillors, as pompous.

Liberal Democrat Gary Potter said: "I thought I was elected as a councillor to serve the people of Eastbourne, not be embroiled in this type of thing."

Coun Stevens defended his letter and said: "Since the letter has gone out I have noticed that the councillors have been carrying out my wishes very well."