A MEMORIAL event marking the life of a council leader and long-serving councillor has had to be relocated because of the huge number of well-wishers wanting to pay their respects.

Hastings Borough Council has confirmed that a memorial event will take place on the evening of Saturday June 20 in Warrior Square, St Leonards, for Jeremy Birch.

Coun Birch was leader of Hastings Borough Council until his sudden unexpected death earlier this month after collapsing in Hastings town centre.

Council officers said it had originally been intended to hold the memorial event at St Mary In The Castle but it was decided the venue was too small for the number of people expected to attend and so the decision was taken to make the occasion an open air event.

Details of the memorial are still being finalised but it is expected to begin around 8pm and finish with a firework display at around 10pm.