A former Hove council treasurer who made local government history has died.

Howard Longden became a legend in his own working lifetime when his policies made Hove Borough Council the first in Britain to levy a nil rate.

His achievements saw him made an OBE by the Queen and a freeman of the borough.

Mr Longden, 72, died at The Martlets Hospice, Hove, after a battle against cancer.

Born in Brighton and educated at Varndean Grammar School, he joined Brighton Borough Council after completing his National Service.

He worked for councils at Southborough, Herne Bay and Bognor, and went to Weston-super-Mare where he became deputy town clerk.

Mr Longden moved to Hove as treasurer when local government was reorganised in 1973, and eventually became deputy chief executive.

He took over from Bob Hinton as chief executive in 1985, when Mr Hinton resigned to go into private practice.

Mr Longden was light-heartedly dubbed "an unrepenting scrooge" when he managed to peg Hove's rates for four years from 1975 to 1979 with prudent financial policies, ridding the council of debt.

One of his biggest regrets was that the Royal Naval Reserve site next to the King Alfred leisure centre was not redeveloped in his time in local government.

He retired in 1990. His wife, Margaret, died shortly afterwards as they visited friends in Torbay to celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his son, Bruce, and daughter, Diane.

Bruce Longden said: "In addition to being well known locally through his work with the council, he had an international reputation as a philatelist.

"He had a magnificent collection of stamps and regularly spoke at stamp club meetings in Sussex."

A funeral service will take place at Woodvale Crematorium on Friday at 4pm. Flowers are welcome, or donations to The Martlets if preferred.