Firefighters have welcomed a familiar face to one of the East Sussex brigade's top jobs.

Chris Large, 45, is to take over as assistant chief fire officer from Len Richards, who has been promoted to deputy chief fire officer.

Mr Large came to Eastbourne two years ago and will be based at Sussex House, the former PPP Healthcare building in Upperton Road.

He began his career with West Yorkshire Fire Service as a firefighter in 1979.

He moved to Bedfordshire in 1991 and was made assistant divisional officer.

Just one year later, he was made divisional officer.

He is married to Lynn, a health visitor in Eastbourne, and the couple have three daughters and one granddaughter.

He said: "My job will involve helping the support services, which means I look after things like personnel, training and health and safety.

"I have been in the brigade for 20 years and have done similar work before.

"Eastbourne is a wonderful town and we have been really lucky getting a house just off the seafront.

"The whole county is just lovely."