A mayor for Mid Sussex is unlikely as residents are consulted on changes to local government.

Thousands of people in the Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, and East Grinstead area are helping the Mid Sussex District Council to decide how it will operate in the future.

The council said a London-style mayor was not top of its list.

Residents are replying through the council's newspaper, Mid Sussex Matters, and its website at www.midsussex.gov.uk.

A thousand residents also sit on a special telephone panel.

And more than 200 organisations including parish councils, schools, residents' associations and housing associations are giving feedback.

As the Government wants to see major changes in the way local authorities operate, almost every council is looking at how it will work in the future.

A major part of the review process is carried out through consultation with communities, to find out how they see their council functioning in the future.

The Government suggests three choices.

One is a directly-elected mayor, to take decisions together with an executive or cabinet of up to nine other councillors.

Another is a cabinet of up to ten councillors, including a leader elected by the council.

And a third is a directly-elected mayor with a council manager responsible for services.

A Mid Sussex Council spokesman said: "We believe a leader with a cabinet is the best structure in order to build upon the good work already carried out for many years by the council.

"We feel an elected mayor may be better suited to large, urban areas like London, but Mid Sussex includes both towns and villages with differing needs."

Council Leader Christopher Snowling said: "We have had an excellent response to our consultation so far.

"I would encourage anyone who has not responded to do so.

"The feedback we receive will be vital in deciding how we will work in the future - a decision that will affect every resident in Mid Sussex."