A church in Brighton is to hold communion over Skype this weekend in order to overcome restrictions on public gatherings.

The Village Metropolitan Community Church is asking worshippers to prepare a glass of wine and bread at home and then join the service via webcam.

Churches and cathedrals across the country are live-streaming services after being instructed to close for three months because of coronavirus.

But, the Village Metropolitan Community Church said using Skype will allow it to hold an interactive communion service.

Rev Michael Hydes said: "If you are just watching a streaming service you do not get that same connection, that same social interaction."

The service will also include sing-along hymns, Rev Hydes added.

"Alas, we cannot all sing together as the system can't handle so many voices at once - but if we mute our microphones we can all sing along," he said.

The first e-service will take place on Sunday at 18:00 GMT.

The body of Billy Henham, 24, was found in a building in the centre of Brighton on 2 January.

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield is urging anyone with healthcare experience to consider how they can help.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

The leader of one of the South East's largest local authorities has joined calls for people to stop panic buying.

Nancy Platts, the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, also urged people to only buy specialist foods, such as gluten free products, if they genuinely need them.

She has already written an open letter to the city's supermarkets, asking them to ration what shoppers can buy and help elderly customers more.

Speaking at the council's policy and resources committee, she also praised community efforts in the face of the crisis, and said the finance team had written to local businesses about the help being offered by the government.

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The driver of the car was taken to hospital with minor injuries, police say.

The Green MP gave a tour of the Commons in exchange for a £150 contribution, a probe finds.

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Several police forces across England have issued warnings after reports of coronavirus-related scams.

The Metropolitan Police said scammers had been going to older people's houses, external and posing as "door-to-door coronavirus testers".

"They are doing so to gain access to people's homes," officers from Croydon police said.

"Nobody, and specifically neither the NHS or the police are conducting such tests."

Kent Police reported similar scams in Hastings, external, and have advised residents to not allow access to anyone claiming to offer tests.

In Maidenhead, Thames Valley Police said residents should ignore unsolicited phone calls and emails, external about coronavirus testing.

People have also been encouraged to report suspicious activity to the police on the non-emergency 101 number.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

The Magnificent Motors and Beer and Cider by the Sea events, due to take place in Eastbourne, have both been cancelled.

The borough council said it made the decision along with the emergency services, because of the resources it would require.

Magnificent Motors had been scheduled for the first weekend of May, and Beer and Cider by the Sea on the final weekend of that month.

People who have bought tickets will be offered refunds.

The leader of Lewes District Council is self-isolating after a family member contracted Covid-19.

Councilllor Zoe Nicholson, a Green Party member, is continuing to work from home and has thanked well-wishers for their support.

The news comes as the council announced plans to postpone all its planning, licensing and non-decision-making meetings, until new measures are available from Government.

These measures are expected to include a change in law to allow meetings to take place virtually, something which is currently prohibited.

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A motorcyclist has died in a crash on the A21 in East Sussex, police said,

The motorbike was heading south when it crashed with a Seat Alea which which had stopped in a layby near Sedlescombe, just south of the junction with Marley Lane, at about 18:00 GMT on Wednesday.

The rider, a 66-year-old man from Hastings, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car – a 46-year-old woman from Etchingham – was taken to the Conquest Hospital with minor injuries.

Any witnesses have been asked to contact Sussex Police.

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The seaside resort firm closes due to coronavirus concerns and will 'monitor the situation'.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle says he had to wait six days for his coronavirus test results.

The start of the Glyndebourne Festival has been delayed from 21 May until Tuesday 14 July, the East Sussex opera house has announced.

All performances until then have been cancelled, a spokesman said.

"This will result in the loss of vital livelihood for many artists and seasonal staff," he said.

"We are offering ticket holders the opportunity to donate the value of their tickets, in full or in part, to help support Glyndebourne and these crucial members of our family."

Glyndebourne said it was looking at broadcasting events online in the meantime.

"Providing it is safe to do so, we are committed to reopening Festival 2020 on 14 July 2020, even if adaptations are required."

Image source, Towner Eastbourne

A seaside art gallery has announced it is to temporarily close to the public due to coronavirus.

Officials at the Towner, external in Eastbourne say the gallery will be off limits to the public from 17:00 GMT on Wednesday 18 March.

It means its scheduled exhibitions, cinema and events programme, both on-site and off-site, will not go ahead as planned. Refund options for those who have booked tickets will be available “in due course”, the Towner’s director Joe Hill said.

He added: “We thank you for your support and understanding and very much look forward to welcoming you back to Towner Eastbourne in the not too distant future.”

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Stock worth tens of thousands of pounds was stolen in a burglary at an electrical store in Hove.

Curry's PC World in Old Shoreham Road was broken into just before 05:30 GMT on 17 March.

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Four men, all wearing masks and gloves, got into the building through a hole in the side.

Officers later stopped a black Audi A4 on the M23 and recovered mobiles, laptops and tablets worth £80,000 from the vehicle.

Two men have been arrested.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Tourism officials in Hastings say the resort is being hit hard by coronavirus.

They say the first sector to feel the impact was the town's language schools, with many countries now banning students from travelling abroad.

Following the government's advice this week, several of the town's attractions have also closed or cancelled events.

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Customers who have bought tickets for events are being asked to be sympathetic to venues, and accept postponements rather than ask for refunds.

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Brighton Festival has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The music and arts festival was due to take place in late May, but has been called off in order to meet the government's advice on social distancing, organisers said.

More than 120 events had been planned and discussions are underway to see if some can still take place at a later date or in a different format.

Refunds are available, but the festival - a registered charity - is encouraging people to donate some or all of the ticket price to support its future.

The pandemic will have a "profound effect" on the city's culture and economy, chief executive Andrew Comben said.

Festival director Lemn Sissay said the cancellation was "a huge blow for us all", but added that it was "inevitable given the severity of what we all face".

May Willis, who says she has never smoked, doesn't drink alcohol, still lives independently.