The leader of Brighton and Hove Council says having a directly-elected mayor, like Ken Livingstone in London, would raise the profile of the town as it bids to become a city.

Important European money would be easier to get, claims Lynette Gwyn Jones.

But, she adds, as the mayor started to take a stance on issues like parking and waste disposal, the high profile of the office could cause greater division and controversy among voters.

This may be her fear but it should really be her hope.

Surely local democracy is all about thrashing out issues we all care about. The more interest people take the better.

As Ken Livingstone showed in London, voters are not prepared simply to accept the party line, or even its candidates.

When the people of Brighton are consulted on whether they want a directly-elected mayor, they should vote yes.

It's not all about the razmatazz of election time. A directly-elected mayor would raise the council's profile among its own voters and the town's profile in the country at large.

Streetwise Brighton is full of attractive shopping streets where people like to walk and browse.

Sydney Street, in the heart of bohemian and historic North Laine, is to get traffic calming, at the request of 83 per cent of traders.

They know what they want, shoppers know what they want, and now the council seems to agree.

An outbreak of good sense will make this bustling street an even better place to visit and work.

Mane part A rescue horse called Sussex has landed the starring role in a new TV series produced by Brighton comedian Steve Coogan.

Ten years ago he was found abandoned by the roadside, nervous and lonely.

But after years of tender loving care by the Sussex Horse Rescue Trust, the gentle giant was chosen to star in the appropriately-titled programme Beautiful Love.

It just goes to show what a stable environment can do.