A town clerk who was sacked by councillors is taking them to a tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal.

Paul Archer, the town clerk of Newhaven, was suspended from his £25,000-a-year post last August.

He has now decided to take the matter to a tribunal. The regional employment tribunal service has confirmed the case is scheduled to be heard in Brighton within the next two months.

Mr Archer was suspended on full pay until the end of last year. His contract was finally ended in February this year.

His duties have since been undertaken by existing staff and town councillors. No replacement town clerk has been appointed.

The District Auditor has been investigating the financial side of Mr Archer's departure but this has been put on hold pending the outcome of the tribunal hearing.