A REMODELLED manor house in West Worthing has revolutionised the notion of residential living in retirement, offering five star service and luxury for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

In this exclusive first look at what will be on offer, Guild Care marketing director Lesley-Anne Lloyd shares the vision behind the project and explains how to become one of the first residents to call it home.

Caer Gwent, in Downview Road, is a beautiful abode – from the moment you make your way up the sweeping driveway, it feels like home. The building boasts a unique position that benefits from both privacy and convenience – just moments away from the seaside.

Caer Gwent offers a luxurious lifestyle modelled on the freedom and luxury of a private country house.

New residents will be able to immerse themselves in classic tales and modern masterpieces in the library, or put their feet up and relax in the sunny conservatory, complete with beautiful views over the grounds.

Film fanatics can take in old favourites from the screening room, or catch up with their favourite television programmes on demand.

Rest and relaxation are always on the agenda and there are secluded spots across the building for moments of quiet contemplation.

Members benefit from a dynamic activities calendar that helps them pursue their passions. Enjoy intelligent conversation at the Sunday papers discussion group, unwind with pilates or take to the town with a night at the theatre.

Whatever your interests, at Caer Gwent, you can relax as hard as you like and if you would like to explore the local area, the concierge can call for a car.

Every bedroom at Caer Gwent has been refashioned, transforming the traditional interiors to reflect the classic style of a country manor.

At Caer Gwent, Guild Care recognises the importance of the finer details. Bedrooms are spacious, dynamic spaces, each considerately designed to suit residents’ needs, from storage for precious possessions to sumptuous soft furnishings and fine linens.

At the end of a fulfilling day, residents will be able to put their feet up and relax on the luxurious memory foam beds.

Each bedroom boasts a comfortable seating area – the perfect place to enjoy room service, or an aromatic, freshly brewed coffee over the morning papers.

Each bedroom also benefits from an en-suite wet room for convenience and home comforts.

Guild Care has always been extremely proud of Caer Gwent and is now offering tours to anyone wishing to live life to the full, in luxurious surroundings, delivered by highly-trained staff.

Set back from the road among beautifully landscaped gardens, the home offers residential, respite and 24-hour nursing care, with many rooms looking out and opening on to the gardens.

To find out more about Caer Gwent and arrange a visit, telephone the enquiry team on 01903 327327.

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A PUBLIC information evening is being held for men from across West Sussex in a bid to encourage early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The event, at The Old Tollgate Hotel, The Street, Bramber, on Wednesday, aims to raise awareness of various men’s health issues.

It is jointly run by Genesis Care, South Downs, a specialist cancer treatment centre in Havant, and West Sussex Urology, a group of the region’s leading consultant urologists.

The evening, from 6.30pm to 9pm, is free to attend and will cover many common symptoms that men might encounter. These might include the need to urinate more often, especially at night, urgently needing to urinate, finding it hard to stop urinating, having a weak flow and feeling like the bladder has not emptied properly.

Barnaby Chappell and Simon Woodhams, who are both consultant urological surgeons at Western Sussex Hospitals Foundation Trust and West Sussex Urology, will offer advice and provide information about when to be concerned, what to do about it and the treatment options that are now available.

Amanda Jones, manager at Genesis Care’s radiotherapy centre, in the grounds of Spire Portsmouth Hospital, explains why it is involved with event: “Often in the early stages of prostate cancer there are no symptoms at all, so you can be living with the condition and not even realise it, yet early diagnosis can make all the difference to treatment outcomes.

“We are urging men in the area to take advantage of this free event to get advice so that any issues can be addressed sooner rather than later and men can make an informed decision about what is the right choice for them.”

PCaSO, the patient-led prostate cancer support charity, will be on hand to offer further information, advice and support, and a hot buffet will be provided.

Spaces are limited. To book, or to learn more about urological conditions, call Patrick Arnold on 02392 484992 or 07786 925 322, or email patrick.arnold@genesiscare.co.uk for more information.

Genesis Care, South Downs provides an integrated service for patients from across Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight.

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Financial institutions across London and the south east were hit hard by fraudsters over the last 12 months with over £157 million being defrauded by criminals, an increase of 779 per cent on last year.

KPMG’s Fraud Barometer, which measures fraud cases with losses of £100,000 or more reaching the UK courts, shows that overall the total value of fraud prosecuted in the region in 2015 fell by 21 per cent to over £380 million but still accounted for over half of all fraud taking place in the UK.

There was a marked increase in the value of frauds being committed by managers and employees which was up by 153% on 2014 figures. In one case a mother of two from Surrey stole £1.75 million from the family business that she worked for as bookkeeper. Unbeknownst to the business when they recruited her she had previously been convicted of benefits fraud and 10 counts of fraud against a former employer.

Commenting on the findings Chris Wheeler, head of forensic for KPMG’s South East region said: “The South East remains the UK’s fraud hotspot and financial institutions in particular have been hit hard this year.

“Fraudsters and criminal gangs see financial institutions as a series of processes that they need to overcome, but once penetrated the rewards can be bountiful.

“Whilst large organisations focus on regulatory efforts to combat financial crime at the front end, such as money laundering, the data shows vulnerability to old-fashioned back office fraud.

“The importance of employee screening and pre-employment due diligence measures cannot be understated.

“Criminals hiding behind a veil of respectability are preying on the poor, pushing people further into poverty.

“After appearing to offer victims a way to escape their debt, they have then proceeded to take what little the victims had left.

“With interest rate rises possible in 2016, such debt restructuring schemes are, sadly, likely to remain popular with fraudsters.

“People struggling with their rising living costs and who are naturally looking for help will be especially vulnerable to falling into the webs woven by such fraudsters.”

Nationally, fraud in the UK reached more than £732m in 2015. The research shows that the value of fraud prosecuted rose in 2015, up from £717m in 2014. The average value of fraud per case also increased to £2.4m in 2015 compared to £2m in 2014. A key driver for this rise being two cases which accounted for £253m of the total fraud recorded in 2015.

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South east homeowners over the age of 55 have a significantly better chance of releasing more than £100,000 in equity than UK national average, according to a new report.

The report, Generation Stuck: Exploring the Reality of Downsizing in Later Life, has been written by the International Longevity Centre – UK and commissioned by the UK’s leading retirement housebuilder, McCarthy & Stone.

It highlights that more than four in ten (42%) homeowners over the age of 55 in the South East expect to release more than £100,000 in equity after buying a new home, a substantially greater percentage than the national average of 29%.

Additionally, McCarthy and Stone records showed that its homeowners in the region released an average of £62,707 in equity – the second highest in the UK.

Clive Fenton, McCarthy & Stone CEO, said: “Supporting first time buyers and Generation Rent is commendable, but there’s a bigger prize on offer by helping ‘Generation Stuck.’

“Housing and planning policy should not just be about Starter Homes – millions of older people want to downsize to more suitable housing but there is currently little incentive or choice for them to move. As a result, housing chains are blocked at the top of the ladder.

“This report is calling for more attention on the housing needs of older people, particularly as 60% of all household growth over the next 20 years will be by those in later life.

“Billions of pounds of housing for families and younger people could be freed up via policies that encourage a wider range of housing options and also incentives to move, such as a stamp duty exemption for those moving to a smaller property.

“This is an area which demands greater policy focus by government in 2016.”

Across the UK, one in three (33%) of the UK’s homeowners aged 55 and over are considering or expect to consider downsizing, but a lack of suitable housing options is preventing them from moving. In comparison, 32% of homeowners in the South East aged 55 and over are considering or expect to consider downsizing.

A new YouGov survey for the report found 29% who have already downsized or are considering/ expect to consider downsizing did or expect to release in excess of £100,000 in equity, with the most prevalent way of using the money being to put it in a savings account.

The report explores older peoples’ attitudes towards moving, the pros and cons of downsizing and provides evidence to help inform the public debate about the role of housing stock held by older people.

It finds that a ‘Generation Stuck’ dilemma is being created by a substantial number of older people who want to move and downsize, but can’t due to a lack of choice in the market place.

In answer to this, it proposes reform under three main themes – around adequacy, affordability and awareness – to resolve the issue.

A chronic under-supply of suitable properties for later life, including purpose-built retirement housing, means the UK is running out of homes for its ageing population, leaving them stuck in under-occupied properties unsuited to their needs.

According to previous research findings more than half (52%) of all people who classify as under-occupiers in the UK are aged 55+ and at current market trends, it would take 20 years for housing supply, at its current rate, to meet the demand of just half of people aged 60+ interested in downsizing.

As part of the report, a new YouGov survey found nearly half (48%) of the 1,252 homeowners surveyed would consider downsizing or have already moved to a more suitable property, making this an area worthy of much greater policy consideration by Government.

Of those who have already downsized or are at least considering downsizing motivations include lower property maintenance (56%), reduced bills (43%) and children leaving home (43%).

The finding that almost three in 10 homeowners aged 55 or over expect to release more than £100,000 in equity from downsizing is reinforced by McCarthy & Stone’s figures which show its homeowners released an average of almost £60,000 in equity when downsizing to a retirement apartment, with 19% releasing more than £100,000.

The report also details how these homeowners used, or plan to use, such equity.

The most common response was to put it into a savings account (35%), using it to enhance their day-to-day life (30%) and giving it to family members (19%) – or putting it towards a pension for those aged 55-59 (34%).

In contrast, for these homeowners aged 55 or over equity release is much less frequently used for big purchases (14%) or to reduce debt (10%).

While the demand for downsizing options is substantial, the report found there is still work to be done with raising awareness around the merits of downsizing, from releasing equity to improving physical wellbeing.

Almost half (44%) of those asked in the YouGov survey who don’t plan to downsize do not see the benefit to downsizing, financial or otherwise, with a similar proportion (49%) reasoning they can still manage the necessary housework, maintenance, and/or bills.

Respondents aged 75+ also cited not wanting to leave friends and neighbours, disruption and sentimentality as barriers to downsizing (43%, 40% and 39% respectively), demonstrating variation in the age groups.

Brian Beach, research fellow and author of the report from the International Longevity Centre - UK, adds: “The debate around downsizing should focus on the opportunities for people to align their living situation with a property that best suits their needs and aspirations.

“In this way, perhaps thinking about ‘rightsizing’ is better than ‘downsizing’.

“Either way, examining the evidence leads us to find that downsizing is an important option for nearly half of older households in the UK. We need to provide opportunities for downsizing rather than stoking up an intergenerational conflict which sees no progress in building or freeing up housing.

“This report has identified substantial demand among older homeowners to consider ‘rightsizing’, which could have a significant impact on addressing the UK’s housing shortage.

“But it is clear that there remains an inadequate supply of the kinds of properties that would serve older households.

“Without suitable properties into which older people can move and downsize, the potential for increasing the trend in this area is unrealistic.

“Yet examples do already exist, as with McCarthy & Stone, and housebuilders can do a great deal to help meet existing demand in an optimal way.

“In this respect, we continue to add our voice to a growing chorus calling for policy reforms to encourage downsizing and moving in later life.”

Generation Stuck: Exploring the Reality of Downsizing in Later Life is available to download at {http://www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/life-and-living/explore/downsizing|www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/life-and-living/explore/downsizing}.

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The top five most outrageous personal expenses claims included in last year’s self assessment tax returns have been revealed by HM Revenue and Customs.

It was also revealed that nearly two million people did self assessed tax returns in the south east last year.

The spurious expenses range from furnishing a new flat to the meagre cost of storing Mars bars overnight in a fridge.

Here’s the full list of bizarre expenses that some taxpayers have tried, and failed, to claim for:

1. The costs for storing Mars bars overnight in a fridge

2. The cost of a pair of flip flops so I don’t have to walk barefoot between my work’s changing and shower rooms

3. The costs for my intimate waxing

4. I bought a second hand car to get me from home to work so I didn’t have to walk

5. I purchased my own flat, so I need to claim back the money I spent on the furniture.

There is now only one week left to submit your 2014-15 online tax return, and pay what you owe, to HMRC to avoid a £100 late return penalty.

HMRC director general of personal tax Ruth Owen said: “There are a number of items and expenses that people can claim against, such as genuine business costs and items needed to do a job.

“But a painful beauty regime or the furniture for your own home are not items that every taxpayer in the country should be contributing towards.

“It’s wrong that a small minority of people expect the honest majority to subsidise their lifestyle and HMRC will never allow for these to be processed as genuine claims.

“With one week to go until the January 31, deadline it’s best to complete your tax return sooner rather than later.

“Our online service is quick and simple to use, with lots of helpful information – completing your tax return is easier than you think.”

In the BN postcode, 174,000 people did the self assessment tax returns in 2014 and 169,000 in the TN area.

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Police are concerned about the welfare of missing 79-year-old Leslie Collins from Sussex.

Leslie, from Pulborough, was last seen at an address in Blomfield Drive, Chichester, at around 3pm yesterday (Saturday, January 23).

He is described as white, 5’ 4” and of medium build with short white hair.

He was last seen wearing mustard coloured trousers with a beige cardigan and a dressing gown.

Missing Persons Coordinator Sergeant Ian Maloney said: “We are concerned about Leslie because he recently suffered a stroke and this is out of character for him. Please contact us if you have any information which can help us find him and make sure he is ok.”

If you see Leslie or have any information about his whereabouts please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 914 of 23/ 01.

If he is in danger or in need of urgent medical attention please call 999 immediately.

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A man was found dead and surrounded by cylinders in Sussex on Friday night (January 22).

Police found the body of a 53-year-old man along with cylinders of unknown substance in Hove at around 9.15pm.

Bystanders said the man’s son originally discovered the body.

Neighbours to the New Church Road house were briefly evacuated as a precaution.

But it was soon determined that there was no threat to public safety and were allowed back into their properties.

Sussex Police is not treating the death as suspicious and the coroner has been informed.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team also attended.

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ELVIS tribute act Eel Fish Parsley is urgently seeking a keyboard player.

The nine-piece band regularly play charity gigs, including the prestigious Shoreham community event Beach Dreams, and members are currently rehearsing for a charity gig in Bognor Regis in March, to help raise money for the Elizabeth Foundation, a charity for pre-school deaf children.

Gigs are divided up into a set of early years and movie songs, with the second set featuring the big Las Vegas numbers guaranteed to bring audiences to their feet.

The aim is to recreate the live Elvis experience spanning his entire career.

Elvis tribute artiste Burton Munday lives in Worthing and works in Shoreham as an account manager for a national gift company.

The band includes lead guitarist Dave Frost, who manages the Shoreham Centre and Andrew Mitchener from Worthing on bass guitar.

There are three backing vocalists – Janet Cuckney from Goring, teacher Hannah Kelly from Chichester and Kim Fry from Worthing.

Completing the current line-up is Shirley Paver from Shoreham on saxophone and drummer Ray Timms from Bognor Regis.

To complete the group, Eel Fish Parsley is looking for a keyboard player who has their own keyboard and who loves rock and roll, particularly Elvis’s music.

In addition to their charity performances, Eel Fish Parsley also plays at weddings, club nights and venues throughout Sussex.

They rehearse in Lancing on Wednesday evenings and occasionally on Sundays.

Eel Fish Parsley can be contacted by email at eelfishparsley@hotmail.com, through the Eel Fish Parsley Facebook page, via the band’s website www.eelfishparsley.com or telephone 07790 329076 for an informal chat.

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Firefighters from across Sussex rushed to reports of a fire in a high rise in Sussex last night (Saturday, January 23).

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of smoke issuing from the sixth floor of Stockwell Court, Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, at around 8.25pm.

On arrival, fire crews found there to be no fire and the smoke was coming from a defective fuse board.

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Another landmark day, sadly never to be forgotten, with the passing of David Bowie last week.

When a high profile person dies words like ‘genius’ and ‘legend’ are bandied around, but in Bowie’s case these were true – and, in my opinion, in the history of music his death is on the same level as that of John Lennon, in 1980, and Freddie Mercury, in 1991.

Growing up, I was always aware that Bowie had played the Assembly Hall in 1972, and it was interesting to put the ticket price of 60p through the inflation calculator this week.

It came up with the figure of £7.10, which in this day and age wouldn’t get you a round of drinks at the Assembly Hall, let alone a concert ticket.

The media coverage of Bowie’s death in the main was exemplary, with some excellent tributes and classic footage.

The one exception came in the shape of Channel 5, and their ongoing reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother.

Channel 5’s collection of, in my opinion, ‘has-beens’ and ‘never-will-bes’ managed to turn the death of one of the finest artists this country has ever produced into a pantomime.

A ‘misunderstanding’ involving the Bowie’s ex-wife Angie, David Gest and an ample breasted American TV reality star, whose name doesn’t escape me, I just have no desire to know it, was truly car crash TV.

What was worse was that it was recorded before transmission, so someone had the chance to think, spike the whole thing and handle the news with a little bit of class and decorum, as every other media organisation did.

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Both Paloma Faith and Ricky Wilson turned around for a Worthing support worker on The Voice last night (Saturday, January 23).

Deano Boroczky performed You Do Something to Me by Paul Weller and clearly had an impact as half of the judges wanted him.

The 27-year-old dad ended up choosing Paloma Faith as he said she is a ‘massive inspiration’ to him musically.

Paloma said she loved it and that he had a ‘beautiful voice like someone had shoved a load of gravel down his throat’.

It seemed like Paloma was the only judge to turn but the Kaiser Chiefs frontman pressed his button at the last moment.

Will.i.am said he was awesome despite a few shaky bits.

You can rewatch Deano’s performance on {http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06z8hn3/the-voice-uk-series-5-3-blind-auditions-3|the BBC iPlayer} and go to 58:52.

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

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Police are concerned about the welfare of missing 65-year-old Timothy Gotch from Sussex.

Timothy was last seen leaving his address in The Street, Bramber, on Thursday (January 21) at 10am and was reported missing on Friday evening.

It is believed he may be in the Seaford area.

He is described as white, 5’ 10” and of medium build with thinning grey hair and glasses. He was last seen wearing a navy blue fleece and gilet with dark camping trousers.

Inspector Tara Gould said: “We are concerned about Timothy because he has a heart condition and this is out of character for him.

“An investigation has been running over the weekend and we would now like to ask anyone with information of his whereabouts to contact us.”

If you see Timothy or have any information about his whereabouts please email {mailto:101@sussex.pnn.police.uk} or call 101, quoting serial 1323 of 22/ 01.

If he is in danger or in need of urgent medical attention please call 999 immediately.

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Police are appealing for witnesses after a 38-year-old woman was assaulted in Sussex at around 10.30pm last night (Saturday, January 23).

The victim was walking home alone after a night out in Chichester along an alleyway that links St Paul’s Road and Duncan Road, when she was grabbed from behind and forced to the floor.

She managed to break free and punch the suspect in the face before running off, suffering scratches to her neck and chest.

The suspect is described as a white man, 6’, of skinny build, aged in his late 30’s or early 40’s, with short dark hair and stubble.

He also had a prominent Adam’s apple, dark bushy eyebrows with dark hair on the back of his hands and he was wearing a dark jacket and brown deck shoes.

Detective Sgt John Kalli said: “This was an isolated incident which has left the victim understandably shaken, but fortunately she was not seriously hurt.

“We need to speak with anyone who was in the area and may have seen something suspicious.”

Witnesses can email {mailto:101@sussex.pnn.police.uk} or call 101 quoting serial 1486 of 23/01.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit {http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org|www.crimestoppers-uk.org}.

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A reduction in allowances paid to disabled people in West Sussex would be ‘totally shameful’, campaigners have warned.

Although West Sussex County Council is increasing its total spending in adult social care and health by £10.9m in 2016/17, it has also listed £6.5m of cuts and income generating measures within the department.

A report suggests that additional income could be received from people with social care needs, as they already pay a means tested contribution towards the cost of their care, but these may increase due to rises to the state pension.

Margaret Guest, chair of Don’t Cut Us Out, which campaigns on behalf of vulnerable people in need of care and support in West Sussex, said: “This amounts to a tax on care for very vulnerable older people, with already dwindling resources towards the end of their lives. It is unjust and unfair.”

She added: “WSCC is also proposing reducing allowances for additional costs such as special diets and laundry, when calculating a disabled person’s financial contribution to their care.

“This will increase the amount disabled people have to pay for care when most are already on very low incomes.

“It is totally shameful that vulnerable people who have already borne the brunt of previous cuts now also have to shoulder the burden of the council’s apparent lack of prudence and competence in its financial planning.”

The report suggests that £1.9m could be saved from disability related expenditure (DRE) over the next two years.

For people with non-residential care packages the financial assessment gives them an allowance of up to £25 per week on spending categorised as DRE, and around 2,500 people receive this.

The report reads: “The weakness of the current arrangement is that it can be relatively generous for those with relatively low levels of needs, while those with very high levels of disability receive a capped amount.”

It suggests that when new customers are assessed a professional judgement will be made about any financial assistance for additional needs, while people already receiving the allowance will continue to do so until their case is reviewed.

The report added: “The outcome of these proposals is that some people will pay a greater contribution towards their care costs and some people will pay much less.”

Don’t Cut Us Out will be asking residents about their views on the proposals prior to the budget debate on Friday February 19.

Jeremy Hunt (Con, Chichester North), cabinet member for finance, explained that Government cuts to WSCC’s funding had been ‘much steeper than we could have reasonably anticipated’, leaving them with a £153m funding gap over the next four years.

A 3.95 per cent increase in WSCC’s share of council tax is being proposed from April, which would add £45.90 a year for a Band D property. Two per cent of this would be purely to fund adult social care.

During a Performance and Finance Select Committee meeting last week, Steve Waight (Con, Goring) suggested that leader Louise Goldsmith had undergone a ‘road to Damascus experience’ over the Christmas period on council tax increases.

He went on to suggest that it was a ‘political decision’ to reduce the amount of savings needed to balance the budget.

Officers explained that the overall four years savings target had reduced slightly, but they needed to be ‘appropriate and deliverable’.

On further collaboration with district and borough councils to make savings Mike Glennon (UKIP, Lancing), leader of the UKIP group at WSCC, said he was ‘amazed and surprised’ not to see more effort.

He added: “This is a financial jigsaw we are going to get together and we do not have the pieces to build it and that’s the absolute truth.”

Mrs Goldsmith recognised Mr Glennon’s commitment to unitary authorities, but said thaey were looking at the situation in a different way, highlighting the prospects of devolution, and suggested there was not the ‘fat there was back in 2010’.

Meanwhile Morwen Millson (LDem, Horsham Riverside) said she was puzzled by how central Government had approached this year’s financial settlement, while the costs of care to authorities like WSCC was ‘increasing dramatically’. She added: “The National Living Wage throws a grenade into the whole pot as well.”

The week before members of WSCC’s Environmental and Community Services Select Committee expresssed concerns at cuts to the highways budget.

Heidi Brunsdon (Con, Imberdown) said highways and transport was the most visual of all the services that the county council provided, and said they had ‘absolutely no detail’ on how the cuts would be practically delivered.

Philip Circus (Con, Storrington) added: “Why are we looking at a reduction of £2m when it seems to me we are cutting what most people feel are core public services.”

He continued: “When we are in a position of cutting what our communities see as core public services I think it’s time to think again.”

John O’Brien (Con, East Grinstead South and Ashurst Wood), cabinet member for highways and transport, said they were facing big reductions in budgets across the council. He added: “Some of the savings may be painful.”

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GORING maths whizz Verity Bennett is celebrating after winning the UK BEBRAS Computational Thinking Challenge based at Oxford University.

The talented 17-year-old BHASVIC student won joint first place in the Elite age group category with Jacob Mair from Burnham Grammar School.

To top off the success at Oxford’s department of computer science last Saturday, Verity confirmed her offer from Cambridge this week to read mathematics.

Verity was among 103 top-achieving students from years six to 13 invited to take part in the final challenge before attending lunch and a prize-giving ceremony at Hertford College.

The finalists were drawn from more than 50,000 students across the UK who took part this year and Verity was one of only two females among the 40 competing in the Elite (16 to 19) category.

Among other BHASVIC students invited to the competition, Sam Caughley came eighth.

The challenge is designed to get students excited about computing and computational thinking. It is a problem-solving contest with questions inspired by topics in computer science.

Last year, Verity and fellow BHASVIC student Owen She-Yin achieved perfect scores, two of only 25 to achieve 180 out of 180.

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More funds for flood prevention schemes across West Sussex are set to be made available for communities.

The third phase of Operation Watershed, which has already helped fund 287 flooding projects and allocated £2.35m in grants, could see organisations bid for a share of £500,000 if approved next month.

This is due to serious flooding over the Christmas period in places such as Cumbria and Yorkshire, with previously successful schemes including ditch clearances, digging new drainage channels and fixing culverts.

If an organisation is successful in securing funding they make a commitment to maintain and monitor the work.

Louise Goldsmith, leader at WSCC, said: “We’ve all seen the scenes in Cumbria and the north of England which reminds us of the serious flooding in West Sussex in 2012 and 2013.

“Operation Watershed was launched afterwards to help communities to resolve localised flooding in their area.

“This has been so successful and appreciated by many but there is so much more to do which is why I am delighted that we have found the money to introduce Operation Watershed 3.

“We are ever vigilant to the threat of flooding and this is why we want to set aside valuable resources this year to continue this important scheme.”

She added: “Operation Watershed has a successful track record in making West Sussex communities resilient against flooding.

“People have told us how much safer and better prepared they feel when heavy rain falls.

“We want this to continue in West Sussex.”

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A week of activities, events and special offers have been organised to celebrate next month’s National Libraries Day across West Sussex.

West Sussex County Council’s Library Service operates 36 public libraries, one prison library, two mobile libraries and an extensive schools’ library service, stocking almost one million items from books to music, DVDs and language packs.

To celebrate National Libraries Day, which is on Saturday February 6, customers will be able to try any borrowable stock for free, as all reservations from Monday February 1 to Sunday February 7 will be free of charge.

Customers can choose from any items in stock across West Sussex; no matter which library the item is in, it can be delivered to the customer’s local branch.

Reservations for books usually cost 80p if placed by library staff or 50p if completed online. Children’s items are free to reserve on children’s tickets.

Reservations can also be placed via the West Sussex Libraries app (free on Google Play or App Store); by using the online catalogue at home or in the library, or by speaking to a member of library staff by phone or face-to-face.

In the week leading up to National Libraries Day, there are nearly 200 activities and events taking place in West Sussex libraries.

This includes all regular activities for adults and children such as baby rhyme time, multi-sensory story time, knit & natter and board games.

In addition there will be a number of one-off events including sing-along a sound of music and afternoon tea with author Nicola Cornick.

To see a full list of events visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraryevents

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DOG walkers are being warned against using the beach after a toxic oil washed up on the shoreline.

The substance, believed to be palm oil, can be poisonous to dogs and other pets.

It was spotted on Lancing beach on Sunday, and then in Worthing this morning, with reports it has now been seen on beaches as far away as Folkestone.

Adur and Worthing Council is currently carrying out a cleaning process from Splashpoint Leisure Centre, going east.

Dog walkers are being advised to stay above the high tide mark.

A spokesman for Adur and Worthing Council said: “Dog walkers and beach users are being asked to keep away from the substance while it is being identified. The extent and nature of the spill means that the substance is likely to be washed back out to sea over the next few tide cycles.

“The Councils’ Foreshores, Environmental Health and Cleansing Teams are continually monitoring the situation, and the Councils are sharing information through their social media channels to keep the community updated.

“If it is indeed palm oil, it is not harmful to human health, but is poisonous to dogs and other creatures if swallowed.”

It is unknown how much of the substance there is, but it is believed to have leaked from a passing container ship.

People are encouraged to report further incidents to the council on 01903 239999 or to the Environment Agency via their 24 hour hotline on 0800 807060.

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Senior police officers have welcomed a ‘pleasing’ 11 per cent reduction in burglaries across Sussex in 2015, compared with the previous year.

The force said there were 290 fewer victims of burglaries in their homes and 640 fewer victims of other burglaries at businesses, garages and outbuildings.

Detective chief inspector Emma Heater, lead for Operation Magpie, Sussex Police’s commitment to tackling burglary in homes, said: “Our priority of preventing burglaries is matched by our hard work in targeting criminals, leading to substantial sentences for those who have burgled homes and businesses.

“The reductions already seen in the past year are very pleasing but we will not be complacent.

“We will develop our service, continue to target prolific burglars, make the public aware and with support of partners, including Neighbourhood Watch achieve greater reductions in the future.”

Sussex Police detailed a number of cases where burglars were jailed last year.

They include 28-year-old Sutton man Stephen Moorhouse, who was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment in October after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle and robbery. This case came after he was charged for his part in a series of burglaries in the Billinghurst area.

Aiden O’Brien-Daniels, 20, from London, was jailed for six years in October for a string of offences in Hastings and Bexhill that included burglary, robbery, handling stolen keys and aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent.

Jamie Ernest Robert Taylor, 25, of Tunbridge Wells, who targeted a Bexhill victim more than once, was sentenced in October to four years, including time for previous offences.

Terry Hughes, 39, was jailed for three years after police were able to link his dirty boots to the door he kicked in in Marine Parade, Brighton, in April. The local man, who was stopped on suspicion of a drugs offence shortly afterwards, pleaded guilty to the burglary after police provided the forensic evidence, found stolen items at his home and CCTV of him approaching the home.

Paul Yardley, 29, who had 22 previous convictions for burglary, was caught in the act when neighbours alerted a dog handler to a burglary in High Street, Findon. He was jailed for four years and eight months in March.

James Cable, 32, was located sleeping in his car in Bognor three days after burgling a house in Billingshurst while the occupants slept. In December he was sentenced to four years after stolen items were found in his possession.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Investigators are working together with forensic officers and neighbourhood teams to pursue lines of enquiry, recover property and bring persistent offenders to justice.

“Across Sussex there has been a significant reduction in the number of offences reported in the last few years and this has been down to a great deal of preventative work carried out in neighbourhoods and by working closely with partners to manage those most at risk of re-offending.

“By closely monitoring these people, with the support of probation and youth offending, police can respond swiftly when they offend and take a robust appoach.

“Our ethos is to target the offender not the offence; monitoring suspects and restricting their ability to further offend through robust interventions.

“We also work closely with drugs services, ensuring that offenders who are vulnerable due to their lifestyle have every opporunity to address their drug addictions and turn away from crime.”

DCI Heater said: “We will continue to prioritise our response to burglary and to focus on catching the criminals who commit them.

“A lot of reduction has been achieved by notable successes in catching and convicting prolific offenders. We will pursue offenders using every means possible to bring them to justice.

“I’m certain that by working with the public and partners in this way will help us continue to drive down burglary.”

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Soon, Worthing’s bandstand will be nothing but a memory, as these pictures show.

Currently, a few columns are all that remain of the popular shelter and meeting place, in Worthing town centre.

Work to remove the structure – actually a rotunda but more commonly known as ‘the bandstand’ – began last week and is part of of a £1.2million project to revamp Worthing’s main shopping area.

The plans include new covered seating and red-brick paving, with the works following a consultation exercise with residents.

To read more about the plans and what town centre Sharon Clarke has to say, {http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/local/town-centre-bandstand-to-go-as-1-2million-works-begin-1-7153952|click here}.

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