Summary

  • Our live coverage has ended for the week

  • News, sport and travel updates from Sussex, Kent and Surrey

  1. 9,700 government-funded trees planted in Rother in eight years published at 08:37 British Summer Time 31 July 2019

    There have been 9,700 government-funded trees planted in Rother between 2010 and 2018, Forestry Commission data shows.

    This works out at 102 trees per 1,000 people.

    Between 2010 and 2018 the government funded about 15 million trees in England. Figures for trees planted with private funds or by local councils are not included and the data only covers new trees, not replacements for any that were cut down.

    Overall tree planting rates across the UK would need to more than double to combat rising temperatures and climate change, according to official figures.

    Last year 13,400 hectares of new trees were planted across the UK, most of them in Scotland, but the Committee on Climate Change says this should rise to at least 30,000 hectares a year.

    Campaign group The Woodland Trust said more trees were needed to provide summer shade, reduce air pollution, improve water quality and manage flooding.

    The government said it had made it "much easier" to apply for planting grants.

    Find out about tree planting across the UK here.

    This story has been generated using Forestry Commission data, BBC analysis and some automation.

  2. If you had one shot, one opportunity....published at 05:40 British Summer Time 31 July 2019

    Tim Willcocks created his portraits with just a single shot for each person.

    Read More
  3. 'You can be a girly girl and an engineer'published at 00:49 British Summer Time 31 July 2019

    Billie Sequeira - one of the UK's top 50 women in engineering - wants to get more women into the career.

    Read More
  4. Nabi sees Kent past Surrey in T20 Blastpublished at 22:20 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi hits 43 from 12 balls as Kent win a shortened T20 Blast game against Surrey by nine wickets.

    Read More
  5. Police misconduct over victim's stalking claimspublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Murder victim's reports of harassment by ex-boyfriend were not properly investigated, panel says.

    Read More
  6. No government-funded trees planted in Medway in eight years published at 19:16 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    No government-funded trees have been planted in Medway between 2010 and 2018, Forestry Commission data shows.

    Medway was among about a third of English districts that did not get any government-funded trees. Almost all of these were urban areas and the government has promised to spend £10m planting trees in towns and cities.

    Between 2010 and 2018 the government funded about 15 million trees in England. Figures for trees planted with private funds or by local councils are not included and the data only covers new trees, not replacements for any that were cut down.

    Overall tree planting rates across the UK would need to more than double to combat rising temperatures and climate change, according to official figures.

    Last year 13,400 hectares of new trees were planted across the UK, most of them in Scotland, but the Committee on Climate Change says this should rise to at least 30,000 hectares a year.

    Campaign group The Woodland Trust said more trees were needed to provide summer shade, reduce air pollution, improve water quality and manage flooding.

    The government said it had made it "much easier" to apply for planting grants.

    Find out about tree planting across the UK here.

    This story has been generated using Forestry Commission data, BBC analysis and some automation.

  7. Dunlop set to aim for victory at Classic TTpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Michael Dunlop hopes to challenge for victory at the August event, despite a possible injury set-back.

    Read More
  8. No government-funded trees planted in Mole Valley in eight years published at 18:04 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    No government-funded trees have been planted in Mole Valley between 2010 and 2018, Forestry Commission data shows.

    Mole Valley was among about a third of English districts that did not get any government-funded trees. Almost all of these were urban areas and the government has promised to spend £10m planting trees in towns and cities.

    Between 2010 and 2018 the government funded about 15 million trees in England. Figures for trees planted with private funds or by local councils are not included and the data only covers new trees, not replacements for any that were cut down.

    Overall tree planting rates across the UK would need to more than double to combat rising temperatures and climate change, according to official figures.

    Last year 13,400 hectares of new trees were planted across the UK, most of them in Scotland, but the Committee on Climate Change says this should rise to at least 30,000 hectares a year.

    Campaign group The Woodland Trust said more trees were needed to provide summer shade, reduce air pollution, improve water quality and manage flooding.

    The government said it had made it "much easier" to apply for planting grants.

    Find out about tree planting across the UK here.

    This story has been generated using Forestry Commission data, BBC analysis and some automation.

  9. Cathedral turned into mini golf coursepublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Bridge themed mini golf at Rochester Cathedral divides opinion.

    Read More
  10. Harry warns of 'unconscious bias' and racismpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Writing in Vogue, the duke says so many people "don't understand why they feel the way they do".

    Read More
  11. 24,100 government-funded trees planted in Wokingham in eight years published at 16:47 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    There have been 24,100 government-funded trees planted in Wokingham between 2010 and 2018, Forestry Commission data shows.

    This works out at 146 trees per 1,000 people.

    Between 2010 and 2018 the government funded about 15 million trees in England. Figures for trees planted with private funds or by local councils are not included and the data only covers new trees, not replacements for any that were cut down.

    Overall tree planting rates across the UK would need to more than double to combat rising temperatures and climate change, according to official figures.

    Last year 13,400 hectares of new trees were planted across the UK, most of them in Scotland, but the Committee on Climate Change says this should rise to at least 30,000 hectares a year.

    Campaign group The Woodland Trust said more trees were needed to provide summer shade, reduce air pollution, improve water quality and manage flooding.

    The government said it had made it "much easier" to apply for planting grants.

    Find out about tree planting across the UK here.

    This story has been generated using Forestry Commission data, BBC analysis and some automation.

  12. Christmas lights display could be savedpublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Huw Oxburgh
    Local Democracy Reporter

    Rother District Council is looking to work with a community group which it hopes will step in to organise Bexhill’s Christmas lights display.

    Earlier this month the council's cabinet agreed to terminate a funding agreement with Shining Lights (Bexhill) Limited, due to concerns around its "lack of transparency and engagement".

    At the same time, cabinet members agreed to enter into an alternative funding agreement with the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (BCCT), which had expressed interest in taking over the annual Christmas lights display.

    Since then however, BCCT says it is no longer in the position to take on the task due to changes in its executive membership and a lack of capacity and time as a result.

    Council leader Doug Oliver said: “I am aware there are a group coming together. It is a bit early to announce that at this moment in time.

    “But there are some genuine community groups out there that want to support this and I am sure we will have something quite soon, in the next few weeks, which we will have to present to officers.”

  13. Webster close to £20m Brighton movepublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Brighton are close to completing a club-record £20m deal with Bristol City for centre-back Adam Webster.

    Read More
  14. Dog fitted with 3D-printed replacement jawpublished at 16:10 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Guy Bell

    Poppet and her ownerImage source, Medivet

    A Shih Tzu has been fitted with a 3D-printed replacement jaw during a revolutionary procedure carried out by a Kent vet.

    Eight-year-old Poppet was a rescue dog whose lower jaw was broken on both sides.

    Dr Ryk Botes, based at Medivet Faversham, felt that the only way to properly fix the dog’s jaw was to attempt a partial jaw replacement.

    The one-hour procedure was a success and Poppet is now a "completely different dog".

    A 3D-printed jawImage source, Medivet
  15. No government-funded trees planted in Woking in eight years published at 15:58 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    No government-funded trees have been planted in Woking between 2010 and 2018, Forestry Commission data shows.

    Woking was among about a third of English districts that did not get any government-funded trees. Almost all of these were urban areas and the government has promised to spend £10m planting trees in towns and cities.

    Between 2010 and 2018 the government funded about 15 million trees in England. Figures for trees planted with private funds or by local councils are not included and the data only covers new trees, not replacements for any that were cut down.

    Overall tree planting rates across the UK would need to more than double to combat rising temperatures and climate change, according to official figures.

    Last year 13,400 hectares of new trees were planted across the UK, most of them in Scotland, but the Committee on Climate Change says this should rise to at least 30,000 hectares a year.

    Campaign group The Woodland Trust said more trees were needed to provide summer shade, reduce air pollution, improve water quality and manage flooding.

    The government said it had made it "much easier" to apply for planting grants.

    Find out about tree planting across the UK here.

    This story has been generated using Forestry Commission data, BBC analysis and some automation.

  16. Inmate dies in burning prison cellpublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Prison staff were unable to break into the cell when they were alerted to smoke coming from inside.

    Read More
  17. 60,200 government-funded trees planted in Wealden in eight years published at 15:44 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    There have been 60,200 government-funded trees planted in Wealden between 2010 and 2018, Forestry Commission data shows.

    This works out at 379 trees per 1,000 people.

    Between 2010 and 2018 the government funded about 15 million trees in England. Figures for trees planted with private funds or by local councils are not included and the data only covers new trees, not replacements for any that were cut down.

    Overall tree planting rates across the UK would need to more than double to combat rising temperatures and climate change, according to official figures.

    Last year 13,400 hectares of new trees were planted across the UK, most of them in Scotland, but the Committee on Climate Change says this should rise to at least 30,000 hectares a year.

    Campaign group The Woodland Trust said more trees were needed to provide summer shade, reduce air pollution, improve water quality and manage flooding.

    The government said it had made it "much easier" to apply for planting grants.

    Find out about tree planting across the UK here.

    This story has been generated using Forestry Commission data, BBC analysis and some automation.

  18. Builders merchants evacuated in chemical incidentpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Guy Bell

    Emergency services in UckfieldImage source, Eddie Mitchell

    A builders merchants was placed in lockdown following a burglary and the discovery of a mystery substance.

    Parker Building Supplies, at Bellbrook Industrial Estate, in Uckfield, was broken into at 01:30 BST and insulation sheeting worth thousands of pounds was stolen.

    Workers were evacuated from the building after a grey substance, left behind by the suspects, was found at the scene. Several people reported to be suffering from sore throats and headaches.

    They were checked over by paramedics and Sussex Police has since confirmed the substance was non-corrosive and is believed to be from a fire extinguisher.

  19. Community health trust rated 'outstanding'published at 12:41 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    The Kent-based community health trust is one of only three to be rated as "outstanding".

    Read More
  20. Cathedral crazy golf course is 'fairway to heaven'published at 09:37 British Summer Time 30 July 2019

    Rochester Cathedral's nine-hole course aims to help "build bridges" but is dubbed "a mistake" by critics.

    Read More