David Panter's appointment as Brighton and Hove City Council's chief executive in July 2001 marked a series of firsts.

The extrovert 39-year-old became the city's first openly gay chief executive and the first to motor around town in a Smart car, then later on a motorbike.

Few other local government officials would pose for photographs wearing a hat made from a bunch of bananas, while promising to take to the streets dressed as a giant strawberry.

This was Mr Panter's first job in local government after beginning his career in Aids and HIV health promotion work before taking several health administration posts in London.

He courted controversy as deputy chief executive of East London Health Authority with proposals to close St Bartholomew's Hospital.

Life was no less eventful following his move to Brighton after a stint helping to draw up the Government's NHS modernisation plan.

Within days of starting work, he took charge of the city's failing refuse collection service.

He demanded urgent talks with union leaders, ordered improvements to the collectors' ramshackle depot and installed a fresh management team.

He extended the city's Paperchase home collection recycling scheme and won praise for reducing the council's budget deficits despite unsatisfying Government financial settlements.

His personal spending seemed less frugal. An investigation by The Argus last September revealed he spent more than £5,000 of public money on entertainment.

The revelations coincided with a £25,000 wage increase - agreed behind closed doors - which took his salary to £145,000.

Mr Panter was unapologetic, arguing the costs were not unreasonable compared with other councils and the need to offer incentives to high-performing individuals.

However, he seemed more embarrassed after agreeing to dress up as a giant fruit to promote healthy eating at the St James's Winter Festival in Kemp Town last year. As the event approached, he changed his mind and Councillor Simon Burgess took his place.