A political row has broken out after it was announced a serving councillor would be given a prestigious accolade.

Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat council has voted to give party member Maurice Skilton, 87, the Freedom of the Borough of Eastbourne.

But Eastbourne Conservatives oppose the decision because the last serving politician to receive the accolade was Sir Winston Churchill in 1945.

Coun Skilton, of Meads Street, was Eastbourne borough councillor for Old Town from 1961 with the exception of an 18 month period in the Seventies.

He has been the East Sussex county councillor for Old Town since 1973.

The widower said: "I am humbled and very honoured to have been given the award.

"It is pleasing to have been given the honour because Eastbourne is a wonderful town.

"I don't know why some people oppose me getting the award and I feel sad about it."

Coun Skilton helped attract the first International Children's Conference on the Environment to Eastbourne in 1995.

He also raises money for Open Door in Susans Road, a support and counselling centre for youngsters.

He served with the Royal Artillery Regiment in Eastbourne during World War Two.

Council leader David Tutt, who nominated coun Skilton, said: "The number of different community based projects which Maurice has either been instrumental or heavily involved in are too numerous to mention.

"His track record is way above that of any other councillor in the town.

"It is to recognise his life time service to the Old Town community in particular and Eastbourne community in general."

But Conservatives say coun Skilton should instead be awarded the Alderman of the Borough of Eastbourne.

Tory leader David Elkin said: "Maurice has been a good, caring and compassionate councillor.

"But we feel giving him the accolade of the Freedom of the Borough of Eastbourne would be an accolade too far.

"The last person to get the award whilst they were a serving politician was Sir Winston Churchill.

"Whilst Maurice is a nice guy, he is not in the same league as Sir Winston Churchill."

Former council leader Ian Lucas said: "It is not an award which is given out after a councillor has served a certain amount of years.

"To give Freedom of the Borough to a politician seems to me to devalue it."

Eminent people who have been made an Honorary Freeman of Eastbourne include Europe's oldest man and war veteran Henry Allingham in 2006, tennis star Martina Navratilova in 2004 and Duke of Devonshire Andrew Cavendish in 2002.

The title was introduced in 1903 and does not confer any special rights or privileges on the holder.

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