Labour councillor Ken Bodfish has been made the new political leader of Brighton and Hove.

He was elected leader of Brighton and Hove City Council by a 24-vote majority at a private meeting of the ruling Labour group last night.

Coun Bodfish received 33 votes against nine for his rival, Coun Joyce Edmond-Smith.

He succeeds Coun Lynette Gwyn-Jones, who is retiring. She was elected in September 1999 by one vote against Coun Bodfish.

The new leader is a former Open University lecturer who represents Queen's Park ward. He has been the council Cabinet member in charge of regeneration.

He has previously been chairman of Sussex Police Authority and leader of the Labour group on East Sussex County Council.

Coun Bodfish said: "I am personally delighted but there is now a job to be done. We have to bring the council forward over the next two years.

"We want to improve the quality of life in the city so that Brighton and Hove becomes a really pleasant city to live in."

After rifts in the Labour group, Coun Bodfish said he hoped to be a healing influence.

He said: "We are looking forward to working with a new Labour Government for the benefit of everyone in the city. We are also happy to work with councillors of other parties who share our aim of creating a better city."

His Queen's Park ward colleague Jackie Lythell was elected deputy leader. A former mayor, she was largely responsible for setting up the new leader-and-Cabinet system in Brighton and Hove.

She will be the Cabinet member in charge of finance