Brighton and Hove Green Party councillor Rik Child is to retire next year because he says he can't afford to continue.

Coun Child, 28, was elected to Brighton and Hove City Council in 1999 for St Peter's ward. His term of office expires next year and he will not seek re-election.

Coun Child said: "It is impossible to serve properly on the council and to also live in Brighton on a councillor's allowance."

He takes home an £8,000 annual allowance for work expected to take between 25 and 30 hours a week but says being a councillor is a full-time job if it is to be done well.

Coun Child may also have to move out of Brighton altogether if he cannot get a better-paid job.

He said: "I have greatly enjoyed being a Green city councillor and I hope that I have been able to make a difference to people in St Peter's.

"Unfortunately, like many people in public service, I simply can't afford to continue to live on the allowance, topping it up with part-time work. I am fortunate as I am single though many councillors have to return to full-time work to support themselves and their families."

"Local government in the UK will continue to shed young and enthusiastic councillors until the job is properly paid and made full-time with a contract, pension and severance pay like any other profession.

"It is no wonder councillors fail to be accountable to their communities when they are having to work for money and do the council work in their spare time. This is no way to run a democracy."

Green councillor Pete West will also retire.

Coun Child is an Oxford graduate steeped in green politics.

He has a part-time job working for the National Society for Clean Air, which is based in Brighton. He lives in rented housing.