The Albanian flag flew high over Brighton Town Hall to mark Independence Day for the many ex-pats living in the local area.
Dozens of members of the Albanian and Kosovan community celebrated the occasion with representatives of Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council.
Brighton and Hove mayor Pete West hosted a reception at the town hall as Independence Day was celebrated formally for the first time here.
Albanian guests raised the Albanian flag from the flagpole at the town hall and sang the national anthem before having tea and cakes in the Mayor’s Parlour.
Speeches were then made by the mayor, police and Enver Godanci, of the Sussex Albanian Group.
PC Nikki Denero said: “We are working hard to show the Albanian community in Brighton and Hove that they are welcome and are supported by police.
“We want to increase trust and confidence in police and support the community to have a voice in local policing.”
A cheque for £250 was also presented to the local Albanian Society from the Police Property Act Fund, made up of money received by the police from property confiscated by order of the court and then sold.
