Sussex Day, on June 16, celebrates the county and its people.

It is held on St Richard's Day, the patron saint of Sussex. The day has been widely celebrated in West Sussex but has received more muted coverage on the eastern side of the county.

Now, Newhaven's Leonard White, an ex-actor and producer who lives in Hillcrest Road, is championing the day.

Mr White is, perhaps, best known for producing the TV series The Avengers, but has also appeared in, produced and directed countless other projects.

After producing the first 40 episodes of The Avengers he took over ITV's Armchair Theatre drama series and produced a great deal for the BBC.

Despite travelling the world Mr White has always remained faithful to his home town.

He said: 'I was born here; I started my career here and went to school here. 'I have worked away a lot, worked all over the place, but the elastic has never snapped as it were. I have always had a home here – certainly my children were reared here for most of their lives. My home is Newhaven.'

Mr White will return to his old school, Meeching School for Boys, now the Hillcrest Centre, on June 16 and read the Sussex Charter to the public.

There will then be a short programme of Sussex poetry and a chorus of Sussex by the Sea. Mr White is hoping to raise the Sussex flag on the day, a flag which sports six martlets, the mythical bird emblem of the county. If anyone has such a flag, contact the Express on 01273 484737. All are welcome to attend on the day which starts at 11.45am.