The family of theatre manager Roger Neil are leading a special tribute to him at one of the venues where he started his career.

Mr Neil, who died of cancer on Boxing Day, was a much loved figure in Brighton where he was general manager of the Theatre Royal for more than ten years until shortly before his death.

On Sunday, June 25, The Friends of Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne have arranged for his friends, including actor Brian Murphy and wit and raconteur Cyril Fletcher, to take part in a short tribute.

Mr Neil's brother, Ian Jacombs, hopes to speak at the event which will be held at the start of the concert, Serenade in the Park, at 7.30pm.

He said: "When we organised Roger's funeral we decided we only wanted it to be for close friends and family, but for some time other people have said they would like some kind of tribute to him.

"The Friends of Devonshire Park have kindly offered to arrange this event, which will be special because he was manager at the theatre for a number of years.

"We would be pleased to see any of his friends there."

Mr Jacombs said the family are also planning a lasting memorial to Roger in the form of a bench which will be erected in his name outside the Devonshire Park Theatre.

Roger Neil was only 53 when he died. He had started his career at the age of 16 sweeping the stage of a theatre in Croydon but quickly rose to being an actor in the weekly rep.

When he moved to the Eastbourne Hippodrome it was as stage manager. After a short spell as PA to Danny La Rue, he became manager of the Devonshire Park Theatre.

But it is as the friendly face of Brighton's Theatre Royal that he is best known.

During his years at the theatre he became the friend of hundreds of the famous names who performed there, as well as a stalwart of the town's arts community.

He suffered a stroke last August and cancer was diagnosed during tests.

Tickets for the tribute concert are available from the Devonshire Park Theatre's box office on 01323 412000.