Tributes have been paid to former Lewes District Council chairman Diana Stiles who has died suddenly at the age of 80.

Mrs Stiles was a prominent figure in the local arts scene, with The Crypt Gallery in Seaford standing as a memorial to her work.

She was the council member for Seaford Sutton ward for ten years from 1985 and council chairman from 1993 to 1994.

She died on December 27, only a few days after returning from a Christmas spent with her son and his family in Vienna.

Mrs Stiles, who had considerable knowledge of the visual arts, campaigned to have the crypt in Seaford restored in a joint collaboration between English Heritage and the council.

She officially opened the gallery around it in March 1994 and worked there as a steward until her death.

Council arts officer Carole Buchan said: "She was one of the gallery's greatest supporters and has been involved in its steadily growing success over the years.

"She will be very much missed by everyone who valued not only her enthusiasm and commitment but also her sound advice and wisdom."

Mrs Stiles' major interest was the environment and for many years she was a member of the Society of Sussex Downsmen, the Seaford Allotments Society, the Seaford Museum, the Friends of Lewes and the Lewes committee of the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

She was a Londoner by birth and worked as an administrator and teacher.

Her funeral will be at Eastbourne Crematorium at 1pm tomorrow.