Politicians will huff and puff over the new boundaries being proposed for Brighton and Hove Council at the next election.

Opposition councillors will say they are being redrawn to benefit the ruling Labour group, whose members will immediately deny any such motive.

It all happened the other way round 20 years ago when the existing boundaries were proposed by Tories on the old Brighton Council.

When the boundaries came in they favoured Labour, but only because that party was in the ascendant anyway in local government.

The final decision will be made by the Boundary Commission, an entirely non-political organisation more interested in getting wards to reflect local communities than in satisfying political parties.

But the real disappointment is the number of councillors being proposed. While there will be a reduction from 78 to 64, that will still be far too many.

It would be much better to cut the number to just one or maybe two a ward and make sure the quality of councillor is improved.

American cities are usually run by a handful of politicians rather than scores of them and are much more efficient as a result.

Finest hour Sixty years ago, Britain faced one of the darkest hours in her history as Hitler launched an air attack.

Even though they were vastly outnumbered, Spitfire and Hurricane pilots repelled the invaders to win the Battle of Britain.

Some of the battles took place over Sussex and we relate some eyewitness accounts of them today.

We should take time this summer to salute the heroes who maintained our freedom and reflect that many of our current problems are petty compared with that great struggle.

By a chin?

Des Lynam is one of Britain's best- loved and best-paid commentators on the beautiful game of football.

But veteran commentator Jimmy Hill may be worth more when it comes to selling puppets from the TV show Spitting Image in an internet auction starting tomorrow.

While Des is valued at £433, Jimmy's image is expected to raise £100 more.

It's the match of the day. And may the best puppet win.