Singer and actor Adam Faith is backing the campaign for a directly-elected mayor for Brighton and Hove.

As Mr Faith threw his weight behind the 'Yes' campaign for a directly-elected mayor, Sir Andrew Bowden, a Sussex MP for 27 years, came out in support of the 'No' campaign.

Brighton and Hove electors vote this month on whether to have a mayor or a committee system of government.

Mr Faith said yesterday: "People want everything to be more open these days.

"It's much better to be run by a mayor who has been directly elected. He or she can feel our influence."

He mentioned New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has been an inspirational figure in the city since the US terrorist attacks.

Mr Faith, who has been a frequent visitor to Brighton during the past 30 years, said the city was like London by the sea.

He said: "People need a mayor who can have a direct impact, a real leader."

Mr Faith said the system should push up low voting figures in local elections and could affect national turnout.

Sir Andrew, Tory MP for Kemp Town until 1997, said he was against the idea of a directly-elected mayor because the system could lead to an abuse of power.

He said: "It would place excessive power in the hands of one person and a small group personally selected by the mayor. This would be the worst type of cronyism."

Labour councillor Simon Charleton, who chairs the city council's standards committee, has written an open letter to councillors.

He called on both sides in the debate to stick to the issues and avoid personality politics.

Coun Charleton said the referendum was ill-timed and largely irrelevant to the real needs of the people of the city.