The new Mayor of Eastbourne was sworn into office yesterday.

David Stevens and wife Jane were sworn in as mayor and mayoress at the town hall yesterday.

Councillor Stevens takes over from fellow Tory Michael Tunwell, who held a reception for more than 200 people last week to thank them for their support during his one-year term of office.

Coun Stevens, 71, was born in Eastbourne in August 1928 before being evacuated at age 12 to Wellington, Somerset.

He returned to Sussex six years later in 1946 and served for two years in the Royal Sussex Regiment as an officer cadet attached to 5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion.

Afterwards he studied agriculture for a year at Reading University before winning a place at St Catherine's College, Oxford, where he read geography.

After graduating he became a teacher at Chelmsford Hall Preparatory School in Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, where he worked his way up to headmaster in 1965.

He retired in 1992 and now spends time with wife Jane and son Guy, 26, playing tennis, walking his dogs, gardening and listening to classical music.

He became councillor for Meads ward in 1982 and also sits on the borough's downland and environment committees.

Coun Stevens said: "I am thoroughly looking forward to the year ahead. It is a great honour."

Coun Margo Smith becomes deputy mayor.