Councillors on all sides united to give a former mayor of Eastbourne a civic send-off at his funeral.

Tributes were read in honour of former Liberal Democrat borough councillor and college lecturer Leslie Mason, who died after a long battle against illness.

Widower Mr Mason, 80, died at Brook Hill Nursing Home, in Prideaux Road, Eastbourne.

More than 100 paid their respects at yesterday's service in All Souls Church in Susans Road, Eastbourne.

Mayor Olive Woodall and her deputy Norman Marsh led a procession of councillors dressed in civic regalia and wearing black poppies.

Council leader Beryl Healy led the tributes, saying Mr Mason was a dedicated Liberal who was highly respected among party members.

Mr Mason's council career started when he was elected for Hampden Park in June 1973.

Failing to win re-election in 1976, Mr Mason won again at a by-election in 1978 to represent Roselands ward.

He served until his retirement from the borough council in May 2000, including three years as mayor from 1984 to 1987.

Mr Mason was a lecturer and governor at Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology, now Sussex Downs College.

And he was instrumental in saving the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Seaside from closure ten years ago, working with piano legend Russ Conway.

For many years he was chairman of the Eastbourne Music Society.

And he was a member of Eastbourne Downs Golf Club, Eastbourne Men's Open Bowling Club and the Friends of the Towner Management Committee.

Coun Maurice Skilton read a eulogy in honour of his long-time colleague and friend.

Afterwards, the Reverend James Paice of All Souls Church said: "Leslie loved talking, he never stopped. People would say to him 'You have retired now, Leslie'.

"Service was something he never found possible to put away."

The church service was followed by a wake at the Grand Hotel on Eastbourne seafront.