A councillor facing sex charges broke down and wept as colleagues paid tribute to him.

Mark McCarthy is quitting after nine years as a Worthing borough councillor before the May 1 local elections.

Coun McCarthy, 36, who represents Offington as an independent Tory after being expelled by the ruling Conservative group, is to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court on July 2 on two counts of indecent assault on a young boy between February 27 and December 31, 2002.

At the last council meeting before the elections, Coun Reg Green, a senior Tory and fellow Offington ward councillor, said: "I shall be very sad to see Mark go. He has been a very good councillor in my ward, a great stalwart, and assisted me when I was canvassing.

"I have had many compliments from constituents about Mark and what he has done."

His tribute was greeted with applause by both parties, before Lib Dem councillor Hazel Thorpe said: "I think you are very brave to be here today."

Coun McCarthy wept as Mayor Heather Mercer presented him with a book on Worthing before kissing him on the cheek.

Deputy leader Coun Ann Barlow also went to speak quietly to Coun McCarthy before he left the council chamber.

Two long-serving Lib Dem councillors, former mayor Geraldine Lissenburg and John Lovell, are also standing down.

Coun Lissenburg, who represents Broadwater, served for 20 years, and Coun Lovell, of Tarring ward, 17 years.

There were calls for both to be made aldermen but Coun Lovell declined and said: "I think honorary aldermen should be abolished."

paul.holden@theargus.co.uk