Rebel Labour councillor Steve Collier has been dropped by his party from local elections in Brighton and Hove.

For the 2003 elections, there will be two councillors rather than three in the normally safe Labour South Portslade ward on the city council.

Portslade Labour Party selected the two other local councillors, Les Hamilton and Sue John, as its candidates.

Coun Collier was one of a group of rebel councillors who voted against the main Labour group on several issues in recent years, occasionally leading to defeats.

Coun Collier said: "For me the decision is one of my greatest personal disappointments. Having grown up and still living in South Portslade, I have taken all I do to heart and will spend some time to consider my future."

Portslade North councillor Bob Carden said: "I feel sorry for Steve Collier over what has happened."

Councillor John is a member of the council's ruling Cabinet while Coun Hamilton has represented Portslade seats on various councils for 30 years.

In North Portslade, also reduced from three to two, Coun Carden and Cabinet councillor Don Turner were selected.

Mayor Harry Steer, the third ward councillor, decided to stand down.