Three hours of squash were played by two Durrington students to raise money for an orphanage in Uganda.

Elliott Munt and Nahum Banks, year-ten students at Durrington High School, organised the charity squashathon with the support of West Worthing Club and coach Kelly Eastment.

Mum Sam Munt said: “Elliot and Nahum have raised in excess of £550 to go towards the orphanage project for Hope for Lugazi, which they are thrilled with.”

Worthing deputy youth mayor Katie Walters opened the event at the Titnore Way club on Saturday.

There was a fun mini squash session for children aged four to eight for the first hour, followed by two hours of challenge matches in the afternoon and a raffle.

Members of New Life Church in Worthing and trustees from the charity joined club members, friends and family for the challenge matches, with some players coming from as far as Southampton.

Hope for Lugazi, which is based in Rustington, is planning to equip and support an orphanage for younger children in the Ugandan town.

Director John Ray said there were seven children in great need of a secure home life. There is already accommodation available but it needs to be refurbished and made safe for children.

Visit www.hopeforlugazi.org.uk for more information.

Has a ‘sleeping giant’ been woken in Steyning?

Engineering company SME has been based in the village since 1946, but its new CEO thinks residents might not know the company, that is on their doorstep, is a world-leader.

After 34 years in aviation, it seemed strange to some that Stuart McNeilis would leave British Aerospace in Cheshire to head up a company 200 miles away that makes tone arms for record players.

But sitting in his office holding an example of the tone arm that made SME famous, he said it makes perfect sense.

He said: “This is acclaimed to be the best pickup arm in the world, it is a masterpiece.

“This was one of the attractions.”

SME was started by Alastair Robertson-Aikman and initially made model cars.

But when he designed a new tone arm that shook the industry, the company’s direction changed forever.

Now it also makes precision engineered parts for Formula One cars, hospital equipment and the aerospace industry.

“It is a traditional, humble company with the fantastic DNA of Steyning and Mr Aikman.”

But Stuart faces challenges growing the ‘sleeping giant’ SME due to its aged workforce.

To fix this he wants to get young people interested in engineering to join as apprentices, hoping to hire four by the end of the year.

But will Brexit hurt SME, which trades to 52 countries?

Stuart said: “We do not anticipate it impacting us at all, the demand for precision engineered components is still there.

“British engineering is among the best in the world, we are still cutting edge.”

Stuart, 51, is keen to boost SME’s role in Steyning: “We want to engage the community with the SME family.

“We started out with local schools, raising awareness of precision engineering.

“Steyning is a wonderful village, it is important SME has a community presence.”

A man who systematically groomed and sexually assaulted young boys in Sussex, Surrey and Swansea has been jailed.

Taffy Mark Evans, 56, unemployed, of The Crescent, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hampshire, formerly of Old Shoreham Road, Lancing, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court yesterday (July 3).

He has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for 32 offences, plus an additional one year on extended licence, Sussex Police said.

He was convicted on May 5, after a ten-day trial, of 18 counts of sexual offences against six young boys more than 20 years ago, as well as seven offences of possession of indecent images of children, a police spokesman said.

They added Evans will be a registered sex offender for life and will not be eligible to apply for parole until two-thirds of the way through his sentence. He had earlier admitted seven sexual offences and had also previously pleaded guilty to the seven offences of possession of indecent images of children which came to light when he was arrested in May, 2014.

He was found not guilty of one sexual assault against one of the boys who he met again by chance, when an adult in 2008.

Police said Evans was living at Redhill and Brighton addresses at the times of several of the offences, which were committed in Charlwood and Redhill in Surrey, and in Brighton, Burgess HIll and Crawley. Two of the offences were committed against one of the boys in Swansea.

Detective Constable Heidi McCall, of West Sussex Investigations, said: “One of the victims had been so traumatised by his experiences that this was having an increasingly adverse effect on his own life. In 2014, he came forward.

“We began enquiries, and a further family member disclosed to us that he was also a victim. A fourth victim was identified during the enquiry. Then, when it became known that Evans had been charged, the two other victims came forward.

“Five of the victims had to give evidence in court as Evans would not admit the offences against them, and they did so with clarity and courage. The video-recorded evidence of the sixth victim was so impactive that once Evans saw it he pleaded guilty to the two indecent assaults on him, and that victim was spared the courtroom appearance.

“The bravery of all six was instrumental in bringing Evans to justice. It is due to their courage that this man was convicted.

“This is another case that shows all such reports will be taken seriously and will be investigated to seek justice wherever possible, no matter how long ago the events occurred.

“Anyone who wants to report such offending can always contact us on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, and arrange to talk in confidence to experienced detectives.”

A Shoreham lifeboat rescued an angling boat with nine people on board which had broken down in Worthing on Sunday (July 2).

The Shoreham RNLI lifeboat had been just about to launch to support the Paddle Round the Pier festival in Brighton, when it was called to a broken down boat located six miles south of Worthing Pier at 11.30am, a spokesman said.

The 38ft vessel, carrying nine people, had suffered engine failure.

The boat was taken under tow to Shoreham Harbour, before being placed on a mooring inside the harbour.

A few days earlier, the inshore lifeboat was launched to a report of a distressed woman who had gone into the River Adur up to her waist, according to a spokesman.

She was located near the Norfolk Bridge in Shoreham at 7.15pm last Wednesday (June 28).

After talking to the woman it was decided to put a crew member ashore to walk the casualty into the care of the police, who were waiting at the top of the riverbank, the spokesman said.

A rail union has called for a six-month ‘accessibility guarantee’ on Southern services in a long-running dispute over staffing of trains.

The RMT union has been fighting Govia Thameslink Railway over the introduction of driver-only operation, which involves drivers opening and closing train doors, since early 2016.

They have held numerous strikes and highlighted concerns over the potential loss of a second safety-critical member of staff on Southern trains.

In a letter to MPs the union has proposed to trial a six-month ‘accessibility guarantee’ on all services, which would guarantee assistance from on-board staff on all trains for all passengers, including the disabled, elderly, vulnerable and other users.

The union claims that at least as many as 158 Southern trains a week, the equivalent of 8,216 a year, are running without a second staff member.

But a Southern spokesman said: “The guarantee the RMT wants is a guarantee to cancel trains. We want to put the passenger first and keep trains running.

“Driver controlled operation is safe and provision for those who need assistance has not deteriorated while, at the same time, service levels have steadily improved.”

Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT, called their proposal ‘sensible’, adding: “That there is no agreement yet points to the continued hand of {Transport Secretary] Chris Grayling blocking a settlement as even the government backed Gibb report into Southern Rail admitting that the Secretary of State is determining the direction of this dispute.

“The reason this dispute is now entering its fifteenth month is because the government have backed the employer. MPs now need to ask when the government is going to back a fair settlement instead.”

The RMT is due to hold its latest 24-hour walkout on Monday July 10.

Meanwhile, a ban on overtime working by train drivers’ union ASLEF came into effect last Thursday (June 29), while it is also balloting members on holding more strikes.

MPs are due to debate the Gibb report in the House of Commons today (Tuesday July 4).

A convoy of London cabs are streaming into Worthing today to bring 200 war veterans from across the capital for a day at the seaside.

The World War Two veterans, including Chelsea Pensioners, will be treated to a fish and chip lunch and entertainment at The Pavilion on Worthing Pier as well as being able to take in the sea views.

The Mayor of Worthing, councillor Alex Harman, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to welcome the Chelsea Pensioners and the London taxi drivers back to Worthing for another year.

“The fact they keep on coming back to enjoy a day by our seaside is testament to the town and our facilities. I’m looking forward to meeting them all.”

Following a tradition that began in 1948, the kind-hearted cabbies will turn off their meters to pick up veterans and carers from their homes on behalf of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.

Graham Pike, one of the drivers taking part and committee member of the Taxi Charity, said: “Our annual Worthing trip is something we look forward to all year.

“It’s a pleasure to treat these ladies and gents to the seaside as a way of saying thank you for all they’ve done for us.”

It was an early start for the veterans who were picked up at 6.30am before stopping off at South Holmwood, near Dorking, for homemade sandwiches, cakes and refreshments before setting off in convoy along the A24 to Worthing.

The convoy is due to arrive in Worthing from midday and will head home about 6pm.

The following are the planned road closures in the coming weeks across West Sussex in order to carry out repairs and related work.

Chapel Street, Chichester. Works to roof of Dolphin and Anchor Public House. Overnight Road Closure. July 17/18.

Kingsmead Avenue, Chichester. Amend existing roundabout to road junction. Road Closure. July 10 - September 1.

Horsemere Green Lane, Climping. Traffic management scheme (traffic islands and reduced speed limit). Road Closure. Until July 25.

Fleming Way, Crawley. Lay water communication pipe and install meter to serve office block. Road Closure. Until July 21.

Green Lane, Donnington. Access underground BT structures for new customer connection. Road Closure. Until July 6.

Dodsley Lane, Easebourne. Tree works. Road Closure. Until July 18.

Middle Row, East Grinstead. Lay BT duct to facilitate spine cabling works. Road Closure. July 10 - 21.

Park Lane, Lindfield Rural. Lay new drinking water main and connect to main already laid. Road Closure. Until Agust 14.

Yapton Road, Middleton-On-Sea. Carriageway Resurfacing remedials. Overnight Road Closure. July 19 - 21.

Rackham Street, Parham. BT street cabinet and power installation. Road Closure. July 12 - 25.

Rickmans Lane, Plaistow. New foul water connection. Road Closure. Until July 7.

Clappers Lane, Poynings. Lay duct to link existing BT Boxes to facilitate spine cabling works. Road Closure. July 17-21.

Wimland Road, Rusper. Level crossing maintenance. Road Closure. July 8-17.

Station Road, Southwater. Installation of new foul water sewer. Road Closure. Until August 22.

Bridgefoot Lane, Stedham with Iping. New gully, carriageway repair and ditch clearance. Road Closure. July 10-14.

Bolney Chapel Road, Twineham. Excavate joint bay and trench for service alteration. Road Closure. July 17-21.

Burpham Road, Warningcamp. Access underground BT structure to provide service. Overnight Road Closure. July 10-12.

East Street, West Chiltington. New foul water connection. Road Closure. July 17 - August 4.

Gay Street, West Chiltington. Access BT poles and boxes. Road Closure. July 17-21.

Rookwood Lane, West Wittering. New culvert and ditch clearance as part of Operation Watershed. Road Closure. July 13-17.

Sheepwash Lane, West Wittering. New culvert and ditch clearance as part of Operation Watershed. Road Closure. July 10-12.

Findon Road 185 to 211, Worthing. Install BT joint box and lay duct. Road Closure. Until July 7.

An award-winning café on the Littlehampton seafront is celebrating a decade of success.

East Beach Café marked ten years since it opened with a ‘big party’ at the unique-looking Sea Road eatery.

Owner Jane Wood proudly looked back on the café’s history: “I came and bought a house here in front of what was a little chippy kiosk that had planning permission for a change of site to a burger restaurant.

“I thought that the town of Littlehampton would benefit from something more interesting, more important. and that it might bring more people to the town.”

Jane bought the kiosk and set about putting together her café.

The building itself was designed by famed British architect Thomas Heatherwick.

According to Mr Heatherwick’s website, the project faced challenges building in such an exposed location: “Although we wanted to give people a fantastic view of the sea, we also needed to shelter them.

“It meant keeping the building open to the sea in front and making it solid around the back.”

The entire metal structure was made in sections by just two men at local company Littlehampton Welding.

Jane said: “There was a certain amount of opposition in the beginning because it is a very extraordinary and very unusual building.

“There were a lot of people who were in support, including the council.”

But from the start the café has proved a hit in the community.

Jane added: “In the ten years since it opened it has become considerably more popular with locals.”

The combination of good food and interesting architecture has certainly proved popular, with readers of British Airways’ High Life magazine voting it the best beach cafe in the world in 2009.

Jane said: “A stewardess came in and said ‘I have never been so proud to live in Littlehampton’.”

Staff celebrated the anniversary on Friday, June 23 with a ‘big party with 70 regular customers’, Jane said.

She added: “I made a little speech and showed a film of the building.

“I wanted to thank the hundreds of people who supported me from the first day.”

Looking back on the decade since the café opened, Jane said she is sure it has brought more people to Littlehampton.

TV viewers have been warned of an electrical shock risk from a model of Kodi box currently being sold in the UK.

The Chinese-made Android TV box branded as a OTT TV Box 4K has been described as having a “risk of electric shock due to poor quality design and construction” by consumer and trade campaigner Electrical Safety First.

The boxes are sold in a black cardboard box and come with a power supply (AC adapter) marked ANU-050250A.

Anyone having bought one of these devices is advised to stop using it immediately.

Electrical Safety First recommends that anyone who discovers they have an electrical item that has been recalled should stop using it until it has been checked by the manufacturer.

If the manufacturer has not offered a recall programme then they advise following visiting http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls/what-to-do-with-a-recalled-product/ which includes the option of contacting Citizens Advice.

A wildlife charity is asking for Sussex people to record sightings of wildlife - dead or alive - on the county’s roads.

And to help record the roadkill or live animals, a new Mammals on Roads app for iOS9 and above, and Android 7, has been created, allowing wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) to identify changes in population numbers and help conservation.

The app is free, easy to use, with graphics of a whole host of mammals, from hedgehogs and hares, to badgers and bats.

There are also informative audio descriptions, providing useful background information and insights into the lives of these creatures.

David Wembridge, Surveys Officer at People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) explains: “Data gathered from Mammals on Roads is vital to conservation work. The survey has been running for over 15 years, which allows us to compare data year on year, and identify where we need to focus our conservation efforts.”

The new app is part of PTES’ Mammals on Roads survey, which takes place annually between July and September. To take part, members of the public are asked to record sightings of Britain’s mammals – dead or alive – during car journeys of 20 miles or more on a single day, outside of built up areas – perfect for summer road trips or family holidays!

David continues: “While recording roadkill can be a little gruesome, higher levels of roadkill can actually indicate a healthy population of mammals nearby.

“We hope this new app will engage new audiences, who already have mobile technology at their fingertips, with wildlife conservation, in addition to our many fantastic volunteers to who take part each year by logging sightings online or via a survey pack.”

Since 2001, over half a million kilometres of Britain’s roads have been surveyed through Mammals on Roads, with previous data alerting conservationists at PTES to the dramatic fall in native hedgehog numbers.

These findings resulted in the launch of the nationwide campaign Hedgehog Street in 2011 with partner charity the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which to date has 44,000 ‘Hedgehog Champions’ pledging to help protect this species from further decline.

Further research is also being undertaken to investigate the reasons behind the decline, showing the true power of citizen science and what the British public can help conservationists achieve.

To take part, you can download the free Mammals on Roads app from the App Store or Google Play. Alternatively, the survey can be completed via the PTES website (www.ptes.org) or via a printed survey pack. Email mor@ptes.org or call 0207 498 4533 to request a pack to be sent to you.

Mammals on Roads runs from today (Tuesday 4th July) until 30th September 2017.

Forty-two new ambulances are on order for South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb),

The vehicles, which will replace ageing ambulances across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, are expected to hit the roads by the new calendar year.

They are then expected to be rolled out at a rate of four vehicles each week.

The vehicles follow the design of the Trust’s other ambulances, being a box body on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis.

The Trust says that the purchase is a beneficial investment as it is estimated that on average for every year older an ambulance gets it costs the Trust an additional eight pence per mile.

SECAmb’s fleet covers approximately 15 million miles each year so the new vehicles will deliver significant savings.

The ambulances will be fitted with full telematics and speed limiters, which operate when the vehicles are not responding on blue lights and sirens.

SECAmb Head of Fleet and Logistics, John Griffiths said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to place this order which will bring obvious benefits to the Trust and of course patients.

“The purchase follows a review of our fleet and will see our oldest vehicles, which have been in operation since our legacy Trust days, replaced with brand new ambulances.

“I know the new vehicles will be very much welcomed by staff across our region and they also represent a good investment for the Trust.

“Our fleet department and mechanics do a fantastic job to keep our vehicles on the road but it is vital that these vehicles are replaced as they are operating beyond their economical lifespan.”

Nine-year-old Fraser Foxwell has reached the national final in the Top Trumps Tournament.

He will compete at Chester Zoo on Saturday in a bid to become Britain’s youngest yet Top Trumps champion.

Fraser, a year-five pupil at Orchards Junior School, beat off rivals aged six to 11 in the heats and is now one of only 12 young people in the final.

This year’s theme is Awesome Animals and the final will use a deck featuring all sorts of creatures.

Mum Shelley Prince said: “He has always played it and had loads of different packs since he was six.

“When I played with him, there were a few of the cards that he could tell me what they were just from the number I said.

“He has been learning the cards while he has been playing it. He really enjoys it.

“They started playing at school a couple of months ago. I think it is a really great opportunity.”

Top Trumps has been found to help children improve their numeracy and literacy skills, as well as develop social skills though gameplay.

Claire Simon, marketing manager for Top Trumps owner Winning Moves UK, said: “Fraser is already a champion of his school and to be one of just 12 elite grand finalists from a starting line-up of very many thousands is amazing.

“We are extremely excited to be teaming up with Chester Zoo for this year’s tournament. Just like Top Trumps, Chester Zoo is engaging, fun and educational, making them the perfect partner for our Awesome Animals theme.

“Children not only improve their basic literacy and numeracy skills playing Top Trumps but they also deepen their knowledge on the subject matter covered in the pack. The better you know the pack, the better chance you have of winning the game.

“To be a great Top Trumps player, you need a very keen memory as well be a fast absorber of facts and stats.”

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from June 12 to 16, 2017.

Glenn Waters, 31, of Tower Road, Lancing, was given a community order with Drug Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting threatening violence to secure entry to premises in Southwick on February 18, 2017; damaging a back door in Southwick on February 18, 2017; and stealing foot products worth £209.90 from Boots, Shoreham, on April 28, 2017; and being found guilty of assault by beating in Kensington on January 17, 2017. He must carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work and pay £50 compensation for the assault and £209.90 compensation for the theft, £85 victim surcharge, £150 costs. He was also given a restraining order and admitted breaching supervision requirements following release from prison, no separate penalty.

Harry Cooper, 31, of Oaktree Cottages, Barnham Lane, Walberton, had his community order varied to include 20 addition hours of unpaid work and must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to attend unpaid work on two occasions.

Lee Wilson, 36, of Hildon Park, Worthing, had his community order varied to include 20 additional hours of unpaid work and must pay £60 costs after admitting breaching a community order by failing to report for unpaid work on two occasions.

Deborah Wiltshire, 21, of York Road, Littlehampton, had her community order varied to include a new Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must pay £60 costs after admitting failing to comply with a community order by failing to attend two appointments.

Liam Hall, 24, of Mendip Crescent, Worthing, was fined £213 and must pay £100 compensation, £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting assault by beating in Worthing on May 28, 2017.

James Lee, 71, of Chester Avenue, Lancing, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting assault by beating in Lancing on May 29, 2017.

Gwendoline Millhouse, 54, of Guildford Road, Rustington, was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after admitting fraud by failing to disclose to Arun District Council that she had not been making rental payments at a property in Littlehampton in order to make a gain from Housing Benefit between July 22, 2013, and April 10, 2016. She must pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Phillip Stoner, 27, of Greenfields, Wick, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and fined £373 after admitting damaging a wall and laptop in Littlehampton on May 30, 2017. He was also given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, fined £373 and must pay £37 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting assault by beating in Littlehampton on May 30, 2017.

Mark Aylmore, 48, of Bayford Road, Littlehampton, was fined £660 and must pay £66 victim surcharge, £300 costs, after being found guilty of failing to identify a driver when required by police in Shoreham on June 21, 2016. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

Lewis Goodban, 22, of Melville Way, Goring, was fined £108 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £620 costs, after admitting driving without due care and attention at Tesco Filling Station, Littlehampton, on November 3, 2016, and fined £120 after admitting driving without insurance. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Homes have been evacuated and several streets closed after what is though to be anti-tank mines were discovered by a Sussex resident digging in his garden.

Police are advising drivers to avoid Westhampnett, near Chichester, for the time being.

A cordon remains in place in Stane Street where the Second World War ordnance was unearthed in a box in the ground at 10.50am today, Tuesday, July 4.

A 200-metre cordon was established to keep people safe and some local houses were evacuated, Sussex Police said.

Stane Street, and adjacent Coach Road and the amenity waste disposal site are currently closed whilst a military ordnance disposal team at the scene arranges safe removal and disposal of the items.

Police are advising drivers to avoid the immediate area.

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A grieving pet owner’s campaign for road safety outside her home has been taken up by her county councillor.

Tiya Ivy’s treasured cat Henry was killed by a car in April in Becket Road and she is terrified the same could happen to a child.

Tiya, 34, who has lived with her husband Davy since they moved to Sussex from Germany three years ago, said the road is a ‘death trap’.

Her cause drew huge support from local residents, and a petition calling on Worthing Borough Council to put measures in place to reduce speed got more than 630 signatures.

After the petition was delivered to the council, Tiya’s local councillor Bob Smytherman got in touch with her.

Bob, who also sits on West Sussex County Council, took up the campaign and will be presenting it at the next County Local Committee in November.

Tiya said: “I am pleased. Bob has been supportive, he feels that something should be done for sure.

“I think it certainly is something that should be treated with urgency.

“People in our street have been wanting this for years.”

Tiya recognises that some may object to changes to Becket and Pavilion roads because it could increase traffic or prove expensive, but said the changes should be made anyway.

She added: “We shouldn’t be dragging our feet because there might be congestion issues.

“Do we really want to start pinching pennies when you have got 600 people telling you it is unsafe?”

Bob said: “I am delighted to support this petition and am grateful to the chairman of the County Local Committee for agreeing to allow for this to be debated at the next meeting on November 8.

“It gives us plenty of time to consult with the Tarring community through the regular forum meetings held every second Tuesday of the month at West Worthing Baptist Church to identify the best solution to improve the safety of this busy ‘rat run’.

“This may include speed humps or similar calming schemes or even making the roads one way.

“Whatever the solution I am keen to avoid losing parking spaces for residents as it is already very difficult for residents to find a parking space, especially in the evenings.”

Since the death of her cat Tiya has also helped set up CatsMatter, a website aiming to educate drivers to reduce the number of cats being killed on the roads.

Police are trying to trace a missing 16-year-old from Worthing, who was last seen on Wednesday.

Daria Pietrzak, 16, was last seen at her home in St Michael’s Road, Worthing, on Wednesday evening (June, 28), police said.

She is believed to have left at some time between 1am and 8am the following day, when she was reported missing, according to police.

Daria has significant links to London and it is thought she may have travelled to the capital to see known associates.

She is believed to have connections in the Acton, Ealing and Shepherds Bush areas.

Police describe her as a white, 5ft 2ins, of medium/large build, and has dark hair worn as dreadlocks or in a frizzy fashion.

She may have been wearing a black leather jacket and white crop trousers, and carrying a black shoulder bag.

PC Mark Green, of the West Sussex missing persons team, said: “We’re concerned that Daria is vulnerable because of her age and because she’s now been missing for several days.”

Anyone seeing Daria or who may know of her whereabouts is asked to report details online here or telephone Sussex Police on 101, quoting serial 233 of 29/06.

If she is in danger or in need of urgent medical attention dial 999.

Comedian Steve Coogan has added his voice to the ongoing campaign for fairer school funding.

The Alan Partridge star will join youngsters from West Sussex to Manchester and Brighton to Birmingham in a trip to Downing Street on Thursday (July 6) where they plan to hand over thousands of messages of love for their schools - all written by the children.

The event was organised by the parent-led Save Our Schools campaign, which in turn has backed calls from headteachers for adequate funding for every school in the country.

Mr Coogan said: “I’m fully supporting all the parents leading the fantastic Save Our Schools campaign, forcing politicians to seriously consider the funding cuts to our state school system.

“We cannot live in a society where we have a state education system that is stripped to the bone and where the arts and sport are the preserve of children whose parents can afford to pay for them.”

The comedian and representatives from 60 schools are scheduled to hand over tens of thousands of messages at Downing Street at noon

Among them will be one from Year 6 pupil Jasmine, which reads: “I love doing things like BikeAbility because I don’t have a bike at home.”

Another, from Tommy, also in Year 6, says: “I love my teaching assistants and how happy and jolly they are and how sometimes they sacrifice their lunch breaks to help us.”

Many schools have already been affected by cuts to staff and the curriculum, with headteachers warning of more to follow.

Save Our Schools campaigner and parent Alison Ali said: “Despite years of repeated warnings about the funding crisis from stressed heads and teachers, and despite Parliament’s own select committee on spending saying the Department of Education is suffering ‘collective delusion’ on funding, the government continues to fudge the issue.

“Now parents are seeing the real effects of these cuts in their schools, as teachers and teaching assistants are made redundant and class sizes balloon.”

She added: “We hope the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Education are prepared to actually sit and read these poignant messages from tens of thousands of children around the UK and then act upon them.”

After delivering their messages, the group plans to open a pop-up art display outside the gates of Downing Street, showing off more than 20,000 messages in bottles.

They will then head to Trafalgar Square, where children will float their bottles in the fountain “as a symbolic act of protest against education cuts”.

Make the right choice for you and your child - Visit educationsussex.com for trusted school reviews, videos and so much more.

A man and woman have been taken to hospital after a two-car collision in Arundel, police have said.

Emergency services were called to the collision, which involved a BMW and a Mitsubishi on the A284 Arundel bypass at 3.20pm today (July 4).

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A man and a woman have been injured and have been taken to hospital.”

The road has been reopened following the collision.

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A community grants scheme, which has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to good causes in Adur, is looking for more projects to support.

Adur District Council has been running the scheme for more than 10 years.

During that time it has supported around 180 projects, from sports clubs and community centres to advice services and art groups, donating more than £600,000.

Councillor Dave Simmons, executive member for health and wellbeing at Adur District Council, said: “Adur is one of only a few councils that continue to support community action in this way.

“We value the benefits that local organisations bring to the people of Adur, and it is important that we continue to support their innovation and celebrate the key services and support that they provide.

“I look forward to receiving more applications for support from local organisations which focus on our revised criteria in the new grants round.”

Groups can apply for up to £5,000 if they meet the criteria for the 2017 grants, which focuses on five priority areas.

These are projects that are based in Southlands or Churchill ward, encourage healthier lifestyles, focus on young adults, support older residents or help the vulnerable – such as the lonely or homeless.

Last year, groups that benefited from the grant included Adur Arts Forum, Shoreham Riverfest, community group International Neighbours, Adur Special Needs Project, Wickers Gymnastics Club, Fishersgate Boxing Club and the As You Are counselling service.

A grant was also awarded to the Shoreham Allstars, a collective of musicians aged seven to 18.

The group, which builds self confidence and new skills through a shared passion for music, received £2,555 for a new recording studio.

Managing Director David O’Connell said: “The community grant has helped the Allstars hugely.

“The grant has opened up many more opportunities for us to record and document the Allstars’ songs and we are looking forward to sharing and promoting the music of these fantastic young musicians with the world.”

For more details about applying for the grant, visit: www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/adur-community-grants/

The closing date is Sunday, July 23rd.

A grandfather who discovered an ‘unusual’ pebble on Worthing Pier has been told it could be 400 million years old.

Colin Neilson was out for lunch with his wife last Monday when he spotted a strange pebble near where he was sitting.

Colin, 86, who lives with his wife Marion in Pilgrims Walk in Tarring, said: “I saw this unusual shape of the pebble seven or eight feet away.

“I blew the dust off and certainly thought it was interesting.”

But how quite intriguing the pebble was did not become clear until an archaeologist at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery confirmed it was a fossilised sea urchin between 200 million and 400 million years old.

That puts it considerably older than the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

The famous carnivore roamed the planet between 66 and 68 million years ago.

Colin added: “I knew it was old but I just wondered how common these things are.

“We are not along the Jurassic Coast.

“People I have shown it to are quite surprised.”