EX-PAGE 3 GIRL TAKES COUNCIL'S TOP JOB

The former journalist and author of Spells for Teenage Witches represents East Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs on the council and makes no secret of her pagan upbringing.

Her mother Margaret Ayton is a witch.

It is her family's hippie existence and her formative years living on a travellers' site that have influenced her politics and her lifestyle.

The young Marina harboured dreams of being both a dancer and Prime Minister, because she liked the idea of being in charge.

She trained as a dancer and left school with six O-levels, but later abandoned A-levels in drama, English and history for the bright lights of London.

It was in the capital she met PR boss Matthew Freud, son of the ex-Liberal MP Clement Freud, and the politics bug bit.

Her modelling career coincided with that of Samantha Fox and Linda Lusardi.

'Of course I was never as well known as them,' she said. 'I was just one of the extras. You got paid your money and you went. I suppose being brought up by hippy parents, I had absolutely no problem being naked.'

She met music producer Lee Pepper while living in London and the pair married on Cape Clear, Ireland, in 1997.

The couple moved to Saltdean with two children, Charlie, eight and Boudicca, seven.

Then the LibDems beckoned.

Marina, 38, is also on Telscombe Town Council.

She plays down her use of spells. 'It's hard to explain one's faith to others,' she added guardedly.

What does she hope to achieve as chairman of the district council?

'I want to see groups and organisations working with the council to improve everyone's quality of life.

'I would like people to practise being more frugal, producing less waste.

I hope to hold events all over the district. The first will be a sustainability fair in Telscombe Cliffe in June.

'I am very excited at becoming chairman. I want people to take stock and think about their lives and come forward and help their community.'

Cllr Julie Carr, representing Newhaven Valley, stepped down as chairman on Wednesday.

She said: 'The activities I have undertaken reflect the council's priorities for a healthy, safe, prosperous, vibrant and diverse community.

'Our thanks go to all voluntary organisations in the district for the fantastic work they do.

'I would like to invite people to help a local service by volunteering or offering any other support they can.'

Recent activities she has undertaken include hosting a reception for volunteers and visiting the RNLI station at West Quay, Newhaven, where she was taken out on one of the lifeboats.