A former mayor has launched an outspoken attack on council colleagues after announcing her resignation.

Gillian Nassau described the council chamber at Crowborough town council as a " Roman arena."

She said she believed personal attacks on fellow members were stifling healthy debate.

Mrs Nassau, who represented St John's ward, had served on the council since 1987 and was mayor in 2000 and 2001.

She hit the headlines last year when an industrial tribunal heard how she had threatened a town hall worker for parking in her car space.

Finance officer Gill Simmonds was offered £3,000 compensation after she told how she was forced to quit her job as the atmosphere at work became unbearable.

Mrs Nassau intends to move to France and continue raising money for the Cancer Research UK campaign.