Dave was one of the founder members of the charity, based on Havelock Road, and past chairman.

He now leaves Xtrax in the safe hands of new chairman Gary Dyer, project manager Andrew Batsford and a team of trustees.

New chairman Gary said: "Dave stepping down as chairman after 15 years involvement, truly is, the end of an era, Dave truly does deserve peace in his retirement."

Clive Jackson from the charity said: "It is an honour so richly deserved, his lifetime commitment to the youth of Hastings and Rother is without equal.

"Xtrax would not have existed without Dave's vision and his ability to make the dream a viable proposition.

"Dave campaigned fearlessly for the rights of young people's voices to be heard at a time when deprivation, suicide and adolescent pregnancies were at an all time high.

"Other organisations came from all over the country to see this project that was years in advance of its time. Margaret Beckett spoke at some length of Xtrax in a parliamentary speech stating that Xtrax was the flagship that other towns should follow.

"Thanks to Dave's courage and determination, the young people of Hastings and Rother have a centre whose unique way of working was years ahead of its time; with support, warmth and good food and a caring friend to give the young people help with their problems, whatever they might be."