Newly-elected politicians have caused controversy by removing three words from a council slogan.

Labour councillor Jeremy Birch, the former leader of Hastings Borough Council, said the Tory decision to drop the words "making the difference" was a farce and suggested the new leaders should add the word "not" to the existing slogan.

Leaflets and council stationary will gradually be replaced with new material created by the council's in-house design team.

The slogan is still on the website but could vanish within weeks.

The Conservatives in Hastings say the move will not cost any money.

But Coun Birch, whose party was ousted from power in the May elections, said: "It is not just three words - it sends a message about the type of local authority we are and what Hastings requires.

"The Tories said they never liked it in the first place. We had really thought it through. We did not put it there just to fill a space.

"Maybe they think we have already made the difference. I do think Hastings has changed but there's a lot more still to be done. This says the new administration doesn't want to be active and dynamic. It says they will watch things go by rather than get involved."

But the wrangle has annoyed residents who say councillors should spend their time more productively.

Sid Humphreys, 25, manager of Le Pattie cafe in Cambridge Road, Hastings, said: "They obviously have too much time on their hands.

"Why are they quibbling about something like this? I have just finished university and the amount of council tax I pay is extortionate. How much of that is going on this decision and the manpower spent arguing about it? They could make a difference by actually making a difference."

Signs bearing the logo in the borough's car parks and on the seafront will be gradually replaced through wear and tear.

Coun Birch added: "By the time the signs are worn out Labour will be back in power anyway. The whole thing is a farce."

A council spokesman said the change was a way for the new leaders to make their mark on the borough.

He said: "The new political administration have said they are quite happy for us not to use the words making the difference' which was introduced by the Labour leadership about seven years ago.

"This is not a cost-cutting exercise. They have said it must be done at no cost and we are actually saving a marginal amount by reducing the amount of advertising space we use. It is not something which is taking top priority, we will just phase it in when we can."