The former mayor of Brighton and Hove has branded election officials insensitive.

Jenny Langston is upset that her late husband's city council seat has been put up for grabs just three days after his funeral.

A by-election to fill the place left vacant by Steve Langston's death will take place on May 3, the day the General Election is expected.

Councillor Langston said she was hurt by the speed at which the by-election for her late husband's Goldsmid ward seat had been called.

She said: "I had a call from the Conservative office telling me what had happened. I feel very hurt that it has been called so soon after Steve's death.

"They could have given us a little more time seeing as they have up to six months to hold a by-election.

"I just feel it is very insensitive to do this only a few days after his funeral."

Brighton and Hove City Council electoral services officer Chris Fossey confirmed the by-election had been called.

He said: "Two independent electors handed in the correct papers yesterday.

"I cannot reveal who they were but I can say they did not represent any political party.

"The by-election in Goldsmid ward will now take place accordingly on May 3."

Coun Steve Langston died from a blood clot on the lungs at his home in Avondale Road, Hove, two weeks ago.

His widow was joined by more than 400 friends and family at his funeral in Brighton on Monday.

They had been married for 32 years and had known each other since they were at school.

He had been looking forward to helping his wife in her bid to become Conservative MP for Hove at the next election.

The party is hoping to regain the seat after losing it to Labour's Ivor Caplin in 1997.