Judy Rogers, the only woman to be elected Hastings Mayor on two separate occasions lost her seat in last Thursday’s local elections

Judy, who has served as a Hastings councillor for 14 years, lost the Castle ward seat to Steph Fawbert of the Green Party.

Reacting to the result, Judy said: “It was not the day I was hoping for in terms of the result but I would like to thank everyone who has supported and helped me over the past 14 years as a local councillor. It’s with great sadness that I will close my council emails.

"I was privileged to have been Deputy Mayor and then Mayor of Hastings on two separate occasions - the first woman to achieve that, I was then elected as Chair of the Sussex Police and Crime Committee also the first woman to do it.

"That said it was truly not about me it was for Hastings the place I love passionately and am so proud to have lived here for 28 years. I will continue to be involved in the town running Happy Harold, as a member of Bonfire, Carnival Committee and Hastings Week committee and in the Old Town Parish. “Thank you for everyone who has supported me on the journey and voted for me over the years.”