A top city school is to get a new headteacher in September.

Janet Felkin will be the first woman headteacher to lead Blatchington Mill School since it opened nearly 30 years ago.

She will take over from Neil Hunter who has been head at the popular school in Nevill Avenue, Hove, for 12 years.

Ms Felkin, who lives in Brighton, has been head of Eastbourne Technology College for six years.

She was previously head of faculty at Portslade Community College and has also worked in other schools in East and West Sussex.

Tributes are expected to be paid to Mr Hunter's work in June and when he steps down in the summer.

He has turned Blatchington Mill into a school with specialist status in performing arts, maths, computing and vocational studies.

It has consistently been one of the top performing Brighton and Hove schools in GCSE and A-level league tables.

School governors say they appointed Ms Felkin to continue to raise achievement even further.

Ms Felkin said: I am looking forward to working alongside dedicated and committed staff to provide even more opportunity for students.

"Pupils in the 21st Century now demand high quality resources, an engaging environment and innovative teaching and learning.

"I am keen to ensure not only that students are provided with this but that they also take full advantage of these opportunities."

Her appointment is seen as underlining the school's commitment to forging partnerships with local organisations and the community.

Jenny Barnard-Langston, chair of governors, said: "We are extremely pleased to welcome Janet Felkin.

"She has the skills and enthusiasm required to make what is already recognised as a very good school even better.

"Blatchington Mill is on the cusp of exciting developments and the wider community wil be an increasingly important priority for us.

"We have a highly skilled and motivated staff and Janet comes with a proven track record of inspirational leadership."