Conservative and Labour councillors are uniting in a bid to save Brighton and Hove’s mayoralty from budget cuts.

The role, so admirably filled by the ever-young Brian Fitch, is a wonderful office which does a tremendous amount of good representing the council.

Any event is enlivened by the sight of those magnificent red robes and glistening chains, giving a sense of occasion and importance.

We know there are many difficult decisions to make when £26 million worth of council services are at stake, every service facing the chop could put up a strong case for its retention.

But it is pleasing to see that such an important ambassadorial post could be retained in its current format as under the budget cuts it simply would not be the prominent position it currently is.