A Tory councillor who quit the party on the day the Conservatives launched their election manifesto has started the process of becoming an independent.

Anne Giebeler was meeting Brighton and Hove City Council's chief executive Alan McCarthy today to discuss the formal transition.

The Goldsmid ward councillor claimed she did not receive support from fellow Tories when it came to voting on issues affecting her ward. She said she asked for Tories to vote on communal bins and a parking issue.

Coun Giebeler, of Denmark Villas, Hove, joins fellow Independent councillor Jayne Bennett, who represents Stanmer ward.

The pair gave Mr McCarthy papers saying they intended to form a party so they could attend group leaders' meetings.

The council has 23 Labour members, 20 Tories, six Greens, three Liberal Democrats and two Independents.