A MAYOR has named his charities for the year.

Brighton and Hove Mayor Councillor Alan Robins will support the organisations for the next 12 months.

They include Off The Fence, which works with the homeless, vulnerable women and children in education and The Sussex Heart Charity, which supports patients across the county.

He has also chosen Leo House, which cares for life-limited children, Brighton Fringe, the annual arts festival and Together Co, a loneliness charity.

Off The Fence’s founder Rev Paul Young was delighted with the announcement.

He said: “We feel strongly that the mayoral office has a responsibility to the less fortunate people in our city to help their plight and signpost them to further help.

“The role as one of the mayor’s charities makes the job easier – and raises the profile of the people who need it most.”

Brighton and Hove City council said the five charities and Councillor Robins would be meeting regularly to “explore how they can use this status to further assist their various communities within the city”