Lancashire book their spot at T20 Blast Finals Day thanks to a nervy six-wicket victory over Kent at Canterbury.

Caitlin Webb
Local Democracy Reporter

Gardeners in Tunbridge Wells will be charged £52 for the collection of green waste outside their homes from March 2019.

Councillors at Tunbridge Wells borough council have approved plans to increase the proposed charge by £22.

However, councillor Dianne Hill (Lab) shared her fears this would lead to an increase in bonfires and flytipping.

At the communities cabinet advisory board on Wednesday, she said: "At first it was muted that it would be £30 and I thought, perhaps I can deal with £30 but £52 seems a bit excessive.

"On speaking to people, I haven't met anyone who is in favour of it. They just say 'oh well it's back to bonfires' or 'I will put it in the green bin then.

"We know we will end up with flytipping."

Councillor Mark Ellis (Lib Dem) said: "The increase in the charge for garden waste has been quite significant.

"Obviously, as a result of that, it's quite controversial when talking to people on the doorstep about it.

"My concern, particularly in the area I'm in where the air quality isn't brilliant, if we are going to start having fires to get rid of garden waste."

However, the council's director of communities Paul Taylor said there was no evidence of an increase in flytipping or bonfires following charges to garden waste.

John Hammond
Weather forecaster

It's the last bank holiday before Christmas next week, so is the weather going to be kind?

Here's my forecast.

Staff at Southeastern and Network Rail are to undergo training after trains headed for Kent were stranded for hours - without electricity and working toilets.

Train operator Southeastern and rail infrastructure firm Network Rail, which commissioned the report, described the conditions as "unacceptable and regrettable".

It happened in March during the coldest snap of the winter.

Some passengers got off the trains themselves, meaning power to the tracks had to be turned off - leading to more delays.

Image source, Piers Hanson

Piers Hopkirk
Reporter, BBC South East Today

The family of a victim of the serial killer Stephen Port have spoken out after it emerged he will appeal against his convictions.

Daniel Whitworth, from Gravesend, was one of four young men murdered by Port, who was jailed for life in 2016.

QPR sign strikers Tomer Hemed and Nahki Wells on loan for the rest of the season from Brighton and Burnley respectively.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Two men have been arrested after 1.6kg of cannabis was found at a flat in Brighton.

The drugs were uncovered during a raid on the property in Viaduct Road on 10 August.

Image source, Sussex Police

Police also seized cash and mobile phones.

Two men, aged 48 and 31, were arrested and have been released while investigations continue.

Dean Kilpatrick
Local Democracy Reporter

Health bosses insist there is enough GP provision to cope with the level of house building on the Hoo Peninsula for the next "couple of years".

Tracey Rouse, director of primary care at Medway NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, made the comments while responding to concerns raised by councillor Roy Freshwater (UKIP) on Tuesday.

The Peninsula representative claimed there is not enough healthcare provision to meet the demands of the area's ever-growing population, with new residents being told to register at St Mary's Island.

He said: "There are 2,000 new homes being approved or built in Hoo, and that equates to 4,000 people. We've got another 2,000 homes going to be approved before the Local Plan.

"It is not feasible that these thousands of extra people are going to be getting a service from GPs at the moment."

Ms Rouse responded: "I think current provision will hold for a couple of years - it's got the capacity to expand physically, although none of you will be surprised to hear about workforce issues with GPs.

"GP surgeries have started talking together to see how they can provide better care."

Medway CCG confirmed it has had "very initial discussions" with developers about the healthcare provision needed longer-term for the Peninsula, which could see up to 12,000 new homes by 2035 if the draft Local Plan is adopted.

False allegations that Crystal Palace fans had weapons at a Brighton match still require explanation.

David Wicks pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent assault on girls he met at the Wyvern Theatre.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Police are hunting a man who tried to abduct a teenage girl in Littlehampton.

It happened as the 15-year-old was walking near Beach Road with a 16-year-old friend just before 03:00 BST on 21 August.

Image source, Google

The man grabbed her and tried to drag her towards the open doors of a large white van, but she managed to break free and kicked him, before escaping with the other girl.

Her attacker's described as in his 30s, 6ft tall, with a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Police are hunting a van driver who tried to strangle a man in a road rage attack.

The victim, who's in his 20s, was driving a yellow Luton van in Dover Street, Sittingbourne, when a white van overtook him on the wrong side of the road.

Image source, Kent Police

When both vehicles were waiting in traffic, the white van driver started gesturing towards him, then got out, began shouting and approached the Luton van.

He reached into the van and grabbed the victim by the throat, threatening him, before letting go, going back to his van and driving away.

Image source, Google

The attacker was white, aged between 25 and 35, around 5ft 10in tall with brown hair and two moles on his face.

The white van has a set of distinctive alloys and had three ladders secured to a roof rack.

Image source, EDDIE MITCHELL

The steps at Birling Gap beach in Sussex have reopened almost three weeks after a significant cliff fall.

The beach had to be shut earlier this month because Wealden District Council officers were concerned for public safety.

Visitors are being urged to stay away from the foot of the cliff and the cliff edge at all times.

Image source, Sussex Police

A flat in Brighton linked with anti-social behaviour and reports of drug dealing has been shut down.

Earlier this month, Sussex Police were granted a temporary closure order for the property in Bristol Gardens.

It prevents anyone from entering Rugby Court, apart from the tenant, until 21 October.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Steven Payne claims a conversation with a homeless man in Chichester inspired him to attempt this unusual challenge.

Caitlin Webb
Local Democracy Reporter

Image source, Gravesham Borough Council

The new Tory leader at Gravesham Borough Council has accused the council leader of "giving Labour an early Christmas present" after he and his close allies left the Conservatives.

David Turner split from the party to set up independent splinter group following his rejection as a candidate for the next election in May.

Leader of the remaining Tories, Les Hills, has slammed Mr Turner for "only caring about himself" and "damaging the Conservative party".

While Mr Turner, who will remain leader of the council with the Gravesham Independent Conservatives, believes the Conservative party "damaged itself" after deselecting long-standing councillors.

Deputy leader John Knight and former mayor Harold Craske and seven others left the main party due to similar reasons.

The leader of the council told reporters all the councillors will remain in their roles, with many sitting on the cabinet, until next May's election.

An investigation is underway into the attempted abduction of a 15-year-old girl in Littlehampton.

It happened in St Catherine's Road at about 15:00 BST on Tuesday.

The victim and her friend were walking along the road when a man grabbed her and forced her towards the open doors of a large white van, Sussex Police said.

She managed to break free and kick the attacker before both the girls ran off.

Police say the man was in his 30s, about 6ft, with a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

Image source, Sussex Police

This man is being sought by police after his licence for early release from prison was revoked.

Jordan Lee Bellamy was sentenced to 20 months in jail last October for burglary.

The 24-year-old was released from Lewes Prison in July but police say his licence was revoked a few weeks later because he breached the conditions.

Anyone who sees him is being asked to get in touch.

Yorkshire sign fast bowler Mathew Pillans on a three-year deal from fellow County Championship Division One side Surrey.

Danny Pike
Presenter, BBC Sussex and Surrey

Here's a taster of what's on this morning's programme.

Join me on BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey after 09:00.