BUSINESS leaders, politicians and education providers have made their pitch for devolution to the Government.

More jobs and homes, better transport and faster connectivity are the key ambitions for the Greater Brighton bid, which was presented to Baroness Williams of Trafford last week.

The bid, spearheaded by the Greater Brighton Economic Board, brings together five local authorities – Adur, Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Mid-Sussex and Worthing – with the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex, four further education colleges, three business partnerships, Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and the South Downs National Park Authority.

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin, current board chairman who led the pitch, said: “We went to Whitehall to present specific, detailed proposals which amounted to a compelling case for devolution of powers from government to our city region area.

“Our approach to Baroness Williams hinged on a quantified gap between what we’re achieving now and will continue to achieve with organic growth, and the added ‘kick-start’ that taking more control over our local destiny through devolution will bring.”

The bid sets out a long list of ambitions, which could be achieved in three to five years of an accepted bid.

Three year targets include a wish for ultrafast broadband in each key business location, a 50 per cent increase in apprenticeships and establishing a Greater Brighton Land Commission – featuring a priority list of growth sites and delivery plans.

In five years, the bid aims to deliver further spread the availability of ultrafast connectivity, 100 per cent increase in apprentices and enable the building of 1,000 new living wage rent or ownership homes.

Mr Parkin said: “I am absolutely confident that the Baroness heard our clear asks and saw the value in the offer that we’re able to make, in return for additional powers.

“We are now arranging further meetings with the Baroness and civil servants to continue to build on our devolution proposals which will drive extra value into the region.”

The Government’s final decision on the bid is expected in Spring.

FREE, fun taster sessions for young people are being offered by West Sussex Music.

Specialist music teachers run musical groups at Worthing College on Fridays and Saturdays during term time, Shoreham Academy on Thursdays and bands at Northbrook College on Wednesdays.

Sally Sanderson, area leader, said: “The groups are for pupils of all ages between three and 18 and are designed to give children the best musical start in life – they just need to be having lessons to qualify.

“Groups, or ensembles as we call them, are great fun and provide a chance for children to make music together and meet new friends, working as a team and performing in great venues.

“West Sussex Music builds on a 50-year heritage in providing high-quality opportunities for 18,000 children and young people.

“We know that when children enjoy playing and singing with others they become more motivated to learn and improve.”

Students are encouraged to socialise and events are organised to raise money for the centre, including a sponsored silence, called The Big Hush, at the end of January. Mime and hand actions will be used to communicate at rehearsals.

Worthing Music Centre, which includes all three venues and covers schools from Littlehampton to Shoreham and Steyning, is offering the taster sessions from February 3 to 6. Visit www.westsussexmusic.co.uk for more information or call 08452 082 182 to book.

Each child needs their instrument or voice and to attend with a parent.

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The county council has been accused of trying to ‘gloss over’ criticism of its children’s services in an Ofsted report released on Wednesday.

Inspectors spent four weeks last October and November reviewing the West Sussex County Council department and gave it the second lowest rating of ‘requires improvement’.

However a council press release said the report demonstrated how it was making a ‘positive difference to children’s lives’.

Sue Mullins, Labour group leader at WSCC, said the report was ‘not good enough’ and suggested the county council was ‘glossing over’ negative parts of the Ofsted report.

She praised the efforts of staff and the new director, but felt the speed of improvement was moving at a ‘snail’s pace’.

Mrs Mullins said: “It’s not the way to go forward. You should admit you’re failing, we need to do better and this is how we are going to do it and we are willing to fund it.”

She called the high level of care leavers not in education, employment or training, at 38 per cent, an ‘appalling statistic’ and also raised the use of bed and breakfasts to accommodate care leavers as her biggest concerns in the report.

She added: “The officers and staff under the guidance of the new director they have worked very very hard and they have done their best.”

But she pointed out that although the report shows where the council needs to improve so had all the pasts reports.

She continued: “So why were past recommendations not acted on sooner?”

Inspectors found that ‘many of the recommendations from previous inspections have been implemented, with positive results’.

The report added: “Children spoken to by inspectors feel safe and nearly all feel settled where they are living.

“One group of young people made it very clear to inspectors that they all felt that being in care had made a positive difference to their lives, enabling them to be more confident and settled and to progress at school and college.

“The result is that care leavers feel cared for and have someone they know they can rely on. One care leaver reported: ‘nowadays people always ask me how I survived the care system, but I truly believe that I only survived because of the care system’.”

They also found that the council takes decisive and robust action when children are at risk of harm; social workers effectively involve young people in their own safety planning; and looked after children who make the expected progress between Key Stages 1 and 2 have improved significantly.

The report also states that the service’s newly appointed senior leadership team has put in place ‘an ambitious and comprehensive service redesign at pace’; the chief operating officer has a clear understanding of the challenges facing children’s social care and the improvement needed; and the council’s political leaders have ‘strong ambition’ for long lasting improvements and better outcomes for children.

Inspectors said the service ‘requires improvement’, but added: “The plans in place are evidencing progress, and positive impact for children was seen right across the service.”

Suggested areas of improvement included ensuring that managers carefully oversee plans, casework and reviews; being clear about who is responsible for actions; strengthening the quality of child protection decision making; addressing the high number of care leavers who are not in employment, education or training; and stopping the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for care leavers apart from emergencies.

Peter Evans, WSCC’s cabinet member for children – start of life, said: “The report highlights many of our improvements and clearly shows that children we know about are safe.

“There has been a great deal to do, and our social workers and all our children’s services staff and partner organisations have worked tremendously hard to drive through these improvements, and I applaud their achievements.

“The report also shows us where we need to improve, so we will not stop here. We will now turn our attention to addressing every recommendation from Ofsted to ensure our services to children are ‘good’ by the end of this year.”

Avril Wilson, WSCC’s executive director of care, wellbeing & education, said: “The report shows we have made huge improvements in many areas and, most importantly, children in our care feel safe and secure.

“We know we have more to do, and more improvements are needed, but the council knows itself well and already has a comprehensive, quality improvement plan in place.”

Mrs Wilson added: “I would like to thank all of the children, foster parents, adopters and partner organisations who contributed to the inspection process.”

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A rare portrait of a Titanic survivor from Sussex has been found by an auctioneer whose ancestor was in the same lifeboat as her.

The former suffragette Elsie Bowerman was in lifeboat 6 with auctioneer Timothy Medhurst’s great-great-grandfather Robert Hitchens and about 22 others.

The miniature portrait of the first woman barrister at the Old Bailey – who has a Blue Plaque above her former Silchester Road, St Leonards, home – is expected to be sold for around £1,000.

It will be up for auction at Duke’s Auctioneers in Dorchester, Dorset, in March.

“This small portrait is an amazing snippet of history in which you can see a Woman of survival, dedicated to equal rights,” Mr Medhurst said.

“It is a wonderful thing to be able to look at the same lady who would have looked at my Great Grandfather over 100 years ago on board a lifeboat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.”

Ms Bowerman had a Blue Plaque posthumously awarded to her St Leonards home in November, 2005.

She was a member of Emmeline Pankhurst’s Women’s Social and Political Union, she also witnessed the Russian Revolution in 1917 and was the first head of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 1947.

She was on the Titanic with her mother Edith, setting off from Warrior’s Square to Southampton on April 10, 1912.

When the ocean liner hit the fatal iceberg, Ms Bowerman was put onto lifeboat 6 alongside Quartermaster Mr Hitchens and Frederick Fleet, the man who spotted the iceberg.

Elsie is painted in Scottish Women’s Hospital service uniform in the portrait, which she joined during the First World War.

During World War II she worked for voluntary services, and after a time at the ministry of information, she spent three years with the Overseas Services of the BBC.

Before she died in 1973, Ms Bowerman set up the Dove-Bowerman Trust which is still going today.

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A man has been sentenced to prison over sexual offences involving children.

Benjamin Toop, 28, of Shanklin Road, Brighton, was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment ar Chichester Crown Court on Friday 15 January, having pleaded guilty at a hearing in October last year.

The former Worthing lifeguard had admitted three offences of making indecent images, four offences of distributing indecent images, four offences of attempting to engage a young girl in indecent activity on-line and four offences of inciting a young girl to engage in sexual activity on-line.

The prosecution, authorised by the CPS, followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Sussex Police Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT) which resulted in Toop’s address being searched in October 2013 on suspicion that he had been making indecent images of teenage girls.

But subsequent investigation of his computer which officers seized showed that he had been systematically engaging teenage girls in indecent conversation and activity on line, according to Sussex Police.

One girl, believed to be aged 14/15 at the times of the offences, in the United States, was involved in the on-line offences which Toop admitted. He had established contact with her via a chat room.

Evidence of his contacts with other girls was also disclosed in court as part of the case.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “At the time of his arrest Toop was a lifeguard and swim teacher employed by South Downs Leisure at the Splash Centre leisure centre in Worthing. However there is no evidence that the offences had any connection with his employment.”

CEO of South Downs Leisure, Duncan Anderson, said: “Ben who was a swimming teacher was asked to help the police with inquiries in the autumn of 2013. “We then followed procedures and suspended Ben Toop with immediate affect and completed a full investigation.

“We also sought advise from the Safeguarding departments at West Sussex and Worthing Councils and tried to gain a better understanding of what this case was all about from the Police.

“The Police could not release any information at the time but did advise that we may wish to consider not allowing Ben Toop to take any further lessons whilst the investigation takes place,

“We took immediate action and implemented this advice. Ben did not work at Splashpoint again and was later dismissed.”

Detective Constable Chris Smith said: “This case sends a further message that people who engage in this type of activity can and will be detected and brought to justice.”

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An animal rescue centre in Worthing is appealing for donations to operate on a dog’s fractured leg after its previous owners were unable to pay for the surgery.

Ten-month-old Chinese Crested bitch, Enid, suffered the fractured leg whilst playing under the supervision of a dog minder.

The poorly pooch needed an operation to fix it which vets have agreed to do for a greatly reduced cost of £1,500.

Now, Wadars animal rescue in Hangleton Lane is appealing for donations to help cover the cost of the operation for Enid who was recently signed over to them.

Wadars operations manager Tracy Cadman said: “This is a perfect example of why it is so important for owners to insure their pets.”

Tracy said veterinary fees can cost owners hundreds of pounds and if this cannot be met a pet is usually taken to a rehoming centre or put to sleep.

She said: “Enid is a lovely little dog and will make a great pet, but in addition to the initial cost of the operation we will have to fund her care until we can find a home for her as we also neuter, microchip, de-flea and worm our animals before rehoming them which all adds up.”

Another local animal charity has offered to pay £300 towards the bill, but the balance is still too steep for the small charity to source.

“So we are appealing for people to help us cover the costs for Enid’s operation and ongoing care, and that of other animals like her,” she added.

Wadars is a leading animal rescue charity and has been providing care and protection for animals of all kinds since 1969.

The team of animal rescue officers respond to calls from the general public.

During the summer months Wadars can receive more than 60 calls a day for help.

At any one time they take care of 50 dogs, cats and other pets who are looking for new homes.

Currently the animals are cared for in commercial kennels and catteries or by volunteer fosterers until suitable homes can be found for them.

The team also work closely with various wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to help with Enid’s operation and ongoing costs should either visit www.wadars.co.uk and click on the fundraising page, or send a cheque made payable to Wadars, Hangleton Lane, Ferring, BN12 6PP.

SHOREHAM Airshow director Colin Baker has talked of hopes for the future, following the cancellation of this year’s event.

No firm plans can be made until the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Accidents Investigation Branch make their final reports.

But Shoreham Airshow Ltd, the holding company that has been responsible for the airshow since 2003, is looking ahead to next year with high hopes.

Mr Baker said: “There is a big step before than. What we have done is pay our due respects to all those affected by the tragedy by not doing an airhsow this year. Primarily that is the reason why we are not going to do 2016.

“When the time is right, later this year and maybe not until the end of the year, we will be able to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together and see where we can go and see if it can happen in 2017.”

On Wednesday afternoon, traders, volunteers and corporate hospitality team were advised of the decision not to go ahead in 2016. {http://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/news/local/shoreham-airshow-2016-decision-announced-1-7169161|The decision was then made public} on Thursday.

“We wanted them to know where we stood,” explained Mr Baker.

“People did understand the decision but we have had a lot of positive comments, asking for it come back as an even better show.

“An estimated 30,000 people come each year and they really enjoy it. The airfield is full of traders, food and drink and things to buy. It is like a great big garden party atmosphere and people do really enjoy it. It is good for Shoreham.

“We are keeping an open mind but there is a great aspiration to keep it going. We are thinking of it in much the same was it as always been, as that is a winning formula. Everybody loves it.

“We are thinking ahead as we go and are looking at plans to enhance the ticket style so we can improve the experience. The volunteers are all working so hard on things like ticket refunds and we don’t want our people to lose the initiative and inspiration for the airshow. They need a lift and a thank you, too.”

No-one involved will ever forget the moment the Hawker Hunter plane hit the A27 north of Shoreham Airport, {http://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/news/shoreham-airshow-crash-the-11-victims-1-6936877|leaving 11 men dead}.

Mr Baker said: “The events of last year were dreadful. There was a stunned silence. As far as we the organisers are concerned, that is still with us and it is not going to go away. It must be far worse for the families.”

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An eight-year-old girl narrowly escaped serious injury when a television was thrown from a third floor window of a house.

The girl was walking away from the Prince Regent swimming pool, in Brighton, with her mother around 6pm on Monday (January 18) when the television was thrown from the window in North Place.

Sergeant Rob Bowden said: “Luckily, the little girl’s mum was alerted by the noise from above, looked up and pulled her daughter to safety. The TV still only missed them by inches and the girl slipped and fell as she stepped on to it as it landed in front of her.

“If her mum hadn’t taken the action she did, I shudder to think of the consequences, which could have been serious injury or worse.

“When she looked back up, a man was in the window and shouted abuse, but whether that was aimed at her or someone else isn’t clear. He is described as white, 20-25, with short dark hair and wearing a grey hooded top.

“Soon after, three men were seen to exit a ground floor window of the house and run past the entrance to the Prince Regent in the direction of Jubilee Mews.

“The property was empty when police officers attended, but when they returned later, the occupant had no knowledge of what may have happened.”

If you witnessed the incident or have any information about the men involved, please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 1163 of 18/01. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

Health bosses are being urged to tackle a growing ‘crisis’ in general practice – as GPs struggle with an aging population, increasing demand and a lack of resources.

Surgeries in West Sussex are closing their doors to patients while others are being forced to pool resources in a bid to combat a shortage of doctors.

Members of West Sussex Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (HASC) met at County Hall in Chichester on January 20 to discuss the challenges facing primary care.

Retired GP, Councillor James Walsh, who practiced for 40 years, said: “I’m extremely pessimistic about the future of primary care services in West Sussex.

“The demise of the GP and nurse practitioners is really quite alarming with large proportions likely to retire in the next four to five years.

“It is a self perpetuating situation. There is an atmosphere of wanting to get out before it gets worse.”

A report by West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and NHS England (South) said: “Action is being taken to address workforce and infrastructure issues, while work is taking place across the country to test potential new models of care, so that services can be designed which will meet the needs of patients.”

The report identified a risk from the number of GPs and practice nurses set to retire in the next five years.

In Crawley, 14 per cent of GPs and 41 per cent of practice nurses are aged over 55.

In Coastal West Sussex, 15 per cent of GPs and 28 per cent of practice nurses could retire within five years.

The report said a five-year plan to address the shortage will include incentives such a extra training, encouraging staff set to retire to go part-time and asking doctors to return to general practice from other fields.

In Worthing and Adur, a new children’s walk-in centre and a pilot scheme to introduce four Minor Illness And Minor Injuries (MIAMI) clinics have been launched – made possible by a £1.6 million funding boost.

Cllr Walsh added: “I don’t want to be in the position where we look back on 2016 as better than it is now.

“I really do see a crisis coming at this stage I don’t see any sense of us averting it.”

GP services are also coping with an ageing population and an increasing number of patients with complex needs and long-term conditions, who require more intensive support from GP services.

Cllr Brenda Smith called for services to work more closely to care for the ageing population.

“The last place you want to be if you are elderly and have dementia is a hospital,” she told the committee.

“We have the CCGs for primary care and for mental health we have totally different providers. That is a big, big problem.”

Members also expressed concern that new housing developments would put pressure on GP services.

Cllr David Sheldon questioned how district councils’ local plans included provision for primary care services and called for more concrete plans for service provision from NHS England.

Cllr Amanda Jupp said: “We should make sure that medical centre or a practice is at the heart of this development. It is absolutely vital.”

The committee said it would called representatives from NHS England (South) to the next meeting of HASC to address the issue of sustainable primary care.

A former Steyning Grammar School student has been heavily criticised by viewers of ITV’s The Chase, after she was branded the worst contestant ever.

On Wednesday, Hannah Mastrangelo failed to raise any money for her team during her solo question round with presenter Bradley Walsh.

The 19-year-old, who currently attends the University of Bath, ended up with minus £1,000 when up against the Chaser Shaun Wallace.

Although the student is majoring in French and Spanish, she also struggled to say “Hello Brad, it’s a pleasure being on The Chase” in either language when prompted by the game show host.

Despite all this, Hannah still managed to walk away with a share of the prize money, having only answered one question correctly.

Viewers took to social media immediately after, criticising her for making her university arts department ‘look like fools’.

Martin Howay tweeted: “It’s cos of people like Hannah that those little silica bags have “do not eat” on them”.

Even Ant and Dec felt the need to comment, the duo tweeted: “Worst I’ve ever seen”.

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THE FOLLOWING are court results for Chichester and Worthing magistrates’ courts from January 4 to 8.

Peter Carter, 37, of Kingsley Close, Worthing, was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work after admitting drink-driving (117mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Gravelly Crescent, Lancing, on July 8, 2015; and drink-driving (79mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Littlehampton Road, Worthing, on September 30, 2015. He must have treatment for alcohol dependency and pay £80 victim surcharge, £250 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 60 months.

Sheik Oderuth, 29, of Teville Road, Worthing, must pay £100 compensation after admitting assaulting a police constable. He was given a community order and carry out 90 hours’ unpaid work after being found guilty of assault by beating in Worthing on July 29, 2015; and failing to surrender to custody when required on November 3, 2105. He was also given a restraining order and must have treatment for alcohol dependency and pay £100 compensation, £60 victim surcharge and £300 costs.

Christopher Ryan, 46, of Marine Parade, Worthing, was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after admitting stealing food and computer equipment from a premises in Montague Street, Worthing, on August 16, 2015; and failing to surrender to custody when required on December 7, 2015. He must pay £1,150 compensation, £80 victim surcharge and £200 costs.

Richard McCrohan, 43, of Coombes Way, Littlehampton, was fined £100 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £120 costs, after admitting using a colour television without a licence on February 13, 2015.

Frederick Dewey, 34, of Graham Court, Wallace Avenue, West Worthing, was fined £140 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £40 costs, after admitting stealing Blue Tack worth £13 from Poundland, Worthing, on December 12, 2015.

Johnathan Mateer, 43, of Rowlands Road, Worthing, was fined £75 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £40 costs, after admitting stealing Blue Tack worth £13 from Poundland, Worthing, on December 12, 2015. He admitted breaching a conditional discharge, the order was revoked and he was fined £17 each for the three original charges of theft from a shop.

Layla Ganley, 22, of Wheatcroft, Wick, was fined £50 and must pay £50 compensation, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting assaulting a police constable in Wheatcroft, Littlehampton, on December 14, 2015.

Liam Kersey, 28, of Middle Road, Shoreham, was fined £40 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting stealing headphones and boxsets worth £189.97 from HMV, Worthing, on December 14, 2015.

Bryan Rogers, 36, of Offington Avenue, Worthing, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £15 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting wilfully obstructing a police constable in Worthing on December 13, 2015.

Robert Trigg, 51, of Church Walk, East Worthing, was given a community order and a restraining order after admitting harassment without violence by leaving abusive voicemail messages between November 3 and 19, 2015. He must pay £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Sean Clarke, 20, of Newland Road, Worthing, was fined £160 and must pay £200 compensation, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting causing £200 damage to a vehicle in Newland Road, Worthing, on December 13, 2015.

Linda Jones, 35, of Tower Road, Lancing, was fined £40 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without due care and attention in Tower Road, Lancing, on July 3, 2015. Her driving record was endorsed with three points.

James Talbot, 45, of Heene Terrace, Worthing, was fined £80 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting stealing wine worth £24 from Marks and Spencer, Worthing, on December 15, 2015.

Simon Crossley, 36, of Norfolk Road, Littlehampton, was fined £83 after admitting driving without a licence in Worthing Road, Littlehampton, on October 30, 2015. He was fined £250 and must pay £25 victim surcharge, £40 costs, after admitting driving without insurance. He was fined £67 after admitting failing to stop after an accident in Travelodge car park, Littlehampton, on October 30, 2015. He was fined £83 after admitting driving without due care and attention in Littlehampton on October 30, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with ten points.

Alvars Balceris, 41, of North Road, Lancing, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £15 victim surcharge, £150 costs, after admitting assault by beating in Lancing on October 21, 2015.

Sean Bailey, 26, of Watling Court, Southwick, was discharged conditionally for a year after admitting using threatening words or behaviour in Southwick on April 21, 2015. He must pay £15 victim surcharge and £250 costs.

Bernard Mills, 65, of East Bank, North End Road, Yapton, was fined £120 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without insurance on the A27 Chichester on June 25, 2015. He was disqualified from driving for six months.

Glenn Allerton, 28, of Eastergate Lane, Walberton, was fined £80 and must pay £20 victim surcharge after admitting driving over 70mph on the A27 Aldingbourne on June 17, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Michal Farasiewicz, 33, of Harrow Road, Worthing, was fined £660 and must pay £66 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving without insurance in Brighton Road, Lancing, on July 26, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

Suzannah Stone, 41, of Varey Road, Durrington, was fined £440 and must pay £44 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving a vehicle with a faulty tyre in Durrington on August 19, 2015. She admitted a second similar charge, no separate penalty. Her driving record was endorsed with three points.

Jeanette McKinney, 68, of Christchurch Road, Worthing, was fined £40 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £40 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Broadwater Road, Worthing, on June 25, 2015. Her driving record was endorsed with three points.

Nicholas Pigott, 44, of Ullswater Road, Sompting, was fined £660 and must pay £66 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving without insurance on the A27 Lancing on June 16, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

Blagovesta Ayres, 35, of Colebrook Road, Wick, was fined £245 and must pay £25 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Offington Lane, Worthing, on July 12, 2015. Her driving record was endorsed with five points.

Radu-Alexandru Balan, 28, of South Terrace, Littlehampton, was fined £225 and must pay £22 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving a vehicle without an MOT certificate in Wick Street, Littlehampton, on July 26, 2015.

Denise Blissett, 41, of Sandfield Avenue, Wick, was fined £660 and must pay £66 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving without insurance in Ferry Road, Littlehampton, on July 30, 2015. Her driving record was endorsed with six points.

Hugo Cruz, 33, of Queen Street, Littlehampton, was fined £660 and must pay £66 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving without insurance in Beach Road, Littlehampton, on July 26, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

Brian Jones, 56, of Tower Road, Lancing, was fined £165 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit on the A259 Brighton on June 26, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Joshua Prince-Carroll, 25, of Norfolk House, Chapel Road, Worthing, was fined £330 and must pay £33 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without insurance in West Street, Sompting, on July 28, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

Ruth Quinn, 46, of The Old Slipway, River Road, Arundel, was fined £235 and must pay £24 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over 70mph in Norton Lane, Aldinbourne, on June 25, 2015. Her driving record was endorsed with three points.

Enno Toth, 29, of Rowlands Road, Worthing, was fined £440 and must pay £44 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of driving over the 30mph speed limit in Broadwater Road, Worthing, on June 25, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with four points.

Charlie Williams, 25, of Falcon Gardens, Wick, was fined £65 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 60mph speed limit on the A24 Dial Post on June 26, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

Gareth Wilson, 29, of Addison Close, Lancing, was fined £145 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Lewes Road, Brighton, on June 30, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.

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A motorcyclist who filmed himself doing speeds of up to 155mph on roads around Sussex and Hampshire has been jailed, police said.

Using a camera mounted onto his helmet, 60-year-old Robert Hammond captured more than 150 videos of himself doing ‘wheelies’, riding at more than 100mph on 30mph roads, and dangerously weaving in and out of traffic on country lanes.

Sussex Police said it was a ‘miracle’ that no other road user was hurt.

Hammond, 60, of Upways Close, Selsey, appeared at Chichester Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, January 22, after pleading guilty to four counts of dangerous driving on November 3, 2015 at an earlier hearing.

He was sentenced to six months to run consecutively for each offence and told that he will spend at least a year in prison.

Sergeant Alan Spicer said: “The footage on his headcam showed evidence of some outrageously bad motorcycling.

“It is a miracle that other road users had not been seriously injured or killed, due to the way he was driving his motorbike and the speeds he was reaching.”

According to police, the court heard that two officers saw Hammond riding his Honda Fireblade motorbike on April 29 last year on the A27 at Chichester.

The police officers saw him doing a ‘wheelie’, undertaking several vehicles and travelling at about 80mph in a 50mph zone.

They stopped him and seized a memory card from a camera which was mounted to his helmet.

When the card was viewed, it showed more than 150 clips of him on his motorbike, many of which ‘showed a blatant disregard for the safety of himself or other road users’, police said.

These clips included him conducting a ‘wheelie’ in a housing estate just before accelerating to a recorded speed in excess of 110mph whilst still in a 30mph limit.

Police added that he was shown entering a 30mph limit at 95mph, overtaking traffic on numerous occasions against the safety of solid white line systems, travelling in excess of 120mph on country lanes, overtaking in excess of 140mph and reaching a recorded speed of 153mph on a dual carriageway.

He was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and his motorbike was seized along with the camera on his helmet.

Sergeant Spicer added: “This sentence sends out a message to drivers that we will prosecute you if you are caught driving in a dangerous manner.”

Hammond was also disqualified from driving for two years after he leaves prison and will be required to take an extended re-test before he can take to the roads again.

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There are major delays after an accident involving a car and a motorcycle in Worthing this evening (January 22).

The accident took place on the westbound lane of the A259 Brighton Road at around 5pm.

There are delays in East Worthing between the Western Road junction and the Seamill Park Avenue junction.

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A WORTHING support worker will be taking to the stage on BBC One’s The Voice tonight to sing his heart out.

Deano Boroczky, 27, started singing two years ago after being urged by his mum and sister.

He entered the show after being spotted by talent scouts at an open mic in Worthing.

He hopes he can build the best future for his daughter Mya, seven.

Read the full story {http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/local/worthing-singer-on-bbc-talent-show-the-voice-1-7173507|here|The Voice}

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OPEN auditions are being held to refresh the ranks of actors and actresses at Goodwood Revival and other events.

The Goodwood Actors Guild was established ten years ago in response to a growing demand for performers at the motorsport circuit, in particular at Revival.

Theatrical curator Sue O’Donoghue said: “We are now finding that we need to refresh our ranks, as many of our actors have moved on, many to successful careers in the entertainment industry.

“One of our original Just William boys had his debut at the National Theatre last year. I was like a proud mum!

“This success does mean that we are currently on a recruitment drive the like of which we have not found necessary since our first year.”

The open auditions will be held in the ballroom of Goodwood House on Thursday, January 28, from 3.30pm to 8pm. People can just turn up and be seen without needing to book a time slot.

Auditions will take the form of an improvised performance from a choice of roles. They should take no longer than 15 to 20 minutes and people will be seen in order of arrival.

Talented actors and performers of all ages are invited and successful applicants will be signed to a casual contract.

Guild members perform at many events throughout the year, including Goodwood Revival, Festival of Speed and Glorious Goodwood.

The guild is becoming increasingly known for film and TV work, providing supporting artistes in the past 18 months for a Jaguar commercial with David Beckham and a major set piece filmed for Downton Abbey.

Originally, volunteers and students from the performing arts department at Chichester College were used at Goodwood.

Sue said: “We came to the realisation that we needed a wider range of characters, types and ages if we were to truly represent the ‘magical step back in time’ for which Revival is now famous.

“We also wanted to put the whole thing on a more professional footing, using trained actors and paying them a salary. This raised the quality of the work and ensured real commitment from the actors.

“The Goodwood Actors Guild now has well over 400 people on its books, the youngest being less than a year old and the oldest well into his 80s. We perform all over the estate, logging 84 performance dates in the calendar in 2015.

“Our work ranges from a couple of models for a photoshoot, to 60-plus supporting artistes for an episode of Downton Abbey, to 200 to 300 actors working the three days of Revival.

“We recreate the Regency period for the Raceweek Ball for the Qatar Festival and we finish the year with Father Christmas, elves and carol singers entertaining staff and their children at Goodwood House. We also have a wardrobe department with about 8,000 costumes and props, many of which are genuine vintage pieces.”

Email sue.odonoghue@goodwood.com for more information about the auditions.

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Two hooded men threatened staff with a hammer before making off with ‘several thousand pounds’ from a Sussex post office last night (Friday, January 22).

Shoreham Post Office was taped off after a robbery by two men in their 20s at around 5.25pm.

They are then believed to have run away from the Brunswick Road post office away from the railway line with a bag.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “At around 5.25pm two men broke into the rear of the Post Office in Brunswick Road.

“They threatened the staff with a hammer and took a large quantity of cash – believed to be several thousand pounds.

“Both males were wearing dark clothing with hoods covering their faces.

They made away from the Post Office along Brunswick Road, away from the railway line, carrying a bag with them.

“The males may be in their 20s and were about 5’8’’ tall. No one was injured.”

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The A27 is blocked in Shoreham due to a broken down vehicle this morning (Saturday, January 23).

A vehicle with a tyre puncture has caused the main road to be partially blocked eastbound at the Southwick Tunnel junction.

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Andy Murray’s father-in-law Nigel Sears, from Sussex, has collapsed at the Australian Open.

Sears coaches Ana Ivanovic and was watching her match with Madison Keys on Rod Laver Arena.

The match was suspended for an hour before resuming.

Murray is unaware of what has happened, and is currently continuing his third-round match with Portugal’s Joao Sousa.

Andy Murray’s brother Jamie told reporters Sears, 58, who has been taken to hospital for tests, was “conscious, talking and sitting up.”

Sears’ daughter Kim is not in Melbourne in support of Murray as she awaits the birth of their first child in a few weeks.

Sears is in his second spell working with Ivanovic after he was reappointed the Serbian’s coach in July last year.

He has previously worked with Daniela Hantuchova and Amanda Coetzer and was also captain of the British Fed Cup team.

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Three people have been arrested after an assault in Sussex this morning (Saturday, January 23).

Emergency services were called after a man was found unconscious in North Street, Brighton, at around 7.10am.

He was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

A large police cordon which was in place on a section of the pavement by North Street has been removed.

A 28-year-old man of no fixed address has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.

A 43-year-old woman from Brighton has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH and remains in police custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Miles Ockwell said: “We would like to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and who may have seen what happened.

“I would like to thank anyone affected by the cordon for their patience whilst our investigation continues, our Crime Scene Examiners will be working to re-open the footpath as soon as possible.”

Witnesses can email 101@sussex.pnn.police.ukor call 101 quoting serial 317 of 23/01.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

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Five people broke into the i360 tower in Brighton and base jumped off it last night (Friday, January 22).

A British Airways i360 statement said no-one was hurt and they do not appear to have intended to cause any damage.

Sussex Police were called to the site and are investigating.

“At present, the site is managed by our contractors J T Mackley with 24-hour security supplied by Beacon,” the statement said.

“We will be reviewing security levels with our contractors in light of this incident and will be stepping up our security further following this event.

“The building is not complete and permanent security measures will be being installed over the forthcoming months such as high security walls, alarmed doors, access control and CCTV cameras, which will make breaches of this type become increasingly difficult.”

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