A party leader has quit for the second time in 12 months.

Paul Elgood, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Brighton and Hove City Council, has stood down from the top job.

He said he wanted time to dedicate more time masterminding the Lib Dems' bid to snatch more council seats at the 2007 local elections.

He will be succeeded by David Watkins, a retired businessman and former mayor.

Councillor Elgood said: "David has stood in as leader before and did a very good job of it. My main strengths are campaigning and I have quite a strong public profile so it was decided I should use those assets."

It is the second time Coun Watkins has become leader in less than a year.

Last October Coun Elgood quit the leadership after a row with council leader Ken Bodfish.

This was over the council's decision to send three officers on a £3,600 trip to Los Angeles to meet the architects behind the King Alfred development.

He returned to the top post three months later.

Coun Elgood said: "My latest decision is not related to that in any way. It's purely structural.

"I announced my intention to step down as leader in May and set a date of October 1 so it is not out of the blue.

"David will take care of most of the council business and I will be out there trying to win us more seats. It's teamwork.

"Unlike other parties we do not believe one person should stay as leader year after year."

Coun Watkins ruled out changes in local party policy.

He said: "I am not going to do anything differently. We will continue to put our points of view as firmly as we have in the last six years."

Conservative leader Garry Peltzer Dunn said he was surprised by Coun Elgood's announcement.

Green convenor Keith Taylor said: "Under his leadership the Liberal Democrats have failed to make any distinctive mark on city politics."