BRIGHTON and Hove's top doctor who has kept his eye on residents’ waistlines, teeth and alcohol consumption for 15 years will step down from his role in a matter of weeks.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s director of public health Tom Scanlon will leave his post in March to spend more time with his family.

Tributes have been paid to the stalwart senior health expert who councillors said will be greatly missed.

Dr Scanlon told councillors in an email he wanted to cut down on long hours and evening meetings to spend more time with his wife in her imminent retirement.

The doctor will continue in his role as a GP but on a part-time basis.

He told councillors he felt sad about leaving but added that the time was right for the move.

Dr Scanlon, whose role switched from NHS Sussex to Brighton and Hove City Council in May 2013, said he hoped to play a role in the speedy recruitment of his replacement to the £121,000-a-year role.

Council leader Warren Morgan said: “The city and the council have been very fortunate to have someone of Tom Scanlon’s skills and experience as a director of public health for a number of years.

“Anyone who has read his annual reports will know they are not the usual dry documents, but very readable and interesting booklets that have given real insight into the public health challenges we face.

“I’d like to thank him for his service over the years and wish him well for the future.”

Councillor Ken Norman, Conservative health and adult social care spokesman, said: “I have worked with Tom for nearly ten years and he has been a stalwart for Brighton and Hove in all of those areas of governance throughout that time.

“Tom has always been easy to engage with and I expect many others in Brighton and Hove City Council and further afield will miss him and his jovial blogs on the council website.

“I wish him well with his future activities which I am sure will continue to see him well liked and respected widely.”

Fellow Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett said: “It’s a shame he’s leaving, he has been very good and efficient in his time he has been here.

“I can understand the reasons behind it as he wants to spend more time with his wife but I’m sorry he is going.”