Three Sussex politicians are today starting new lives as ex-MPs after bidding farewell to the House of Commons for the last time.

The Westminster careers of Crawley's Laura Moffatt, Brighton Pavilion's David Lepper and Brighton Kemptown's Des Turner came to an end yesterday as Parliament was dissolved ahead of the general election.

All three, who have been Labour MPs since 1997, chose to step down rather than stand for re-election on May 6 alongside the rest of their Sussex colleagues.

Ms Moffatt, a former nurse who made national headlines for sleeping on a camp bed in her Westminster office after she stopped claiming expenses for a second home, said she had decided to leave Parliament in part because of family illnesses, but hoped to get back on the wards as soon as she completed a refresher course.

Mr Lepper, a former Brighton Council leader who has been active in city politics since 1980, said he planned to spend his retirement doing voluntary work for local organisations including Brighton and Hove Carers Centre.

The 64-year-old, showing little sign of tiring of politics, said after next month's elections he would start helping Labour campaign for the next round of council ballots - in May 2011.

Dr Turner, 70, said he had no firm plans but might look for work in the environmental or renewable energy sectors.