Summary

  • Live updates have now ended

  1. And it's goodnight from uspublished at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    That's it from us for this week. Thanks for joining us.

    We'll be back from 06:00 GMT on Monday, with all Sussex's news, sport travel and weather.

    We hope you have a great weekend.

    You can get in touch on  Twitter, external , on  Facebook, external  or by sending us an  email . We look forward to hearing from you.  

  2. All change for the weekendpublished at 18:52 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Rachel Mackley
    Weather Presenter

    Take a brolly and a jumper out with you this weekend. Here's my latest forecast.

  3. Hunt for pair of sex attackerspublished at 18:39 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Extra police patrols are taking place in East Grinstead after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted by two men.

    The 16-year-old was walking home in London Road just after midnight on 15 March.

    She took a short cut down an alley between Imberhorne Lane and Halsford Lane where the attack took place.

    Quote Message

    We are appealing for anyone who may have information that could help with this investigation. We have increased patrols in the area and have already conducted a number of house to house enquiries.'

    Detective Sergeant Lindsay Russell , Sussex Police

  4. Southern strike: 'This dispute needs to be pushed forwards'published at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    The RMT says its workers on Southern are to stage a fresh 24-hour strike on 4 April. 

    They're due to walkout in their ongoing dispute over staffing and the role of conductors. 

    Earlier this week the RMT attacked a fresh agreement between Southern management and the train drivers' union Aslef as " an old deal in a new envelope ".

    That deal will be put to Aslef members in a referendum. 

    Quote Message

    RMT members on Southern Rail have been fighting for safety and access for nearly a year now and it is disgraceful that we have continued to be carved out of the talks process. That is a kick in the teeth for our members.

    Quote Message

    This dispute needs to be pushed forwards and RMT would be prepared to reconsider our action if we get a commitment to a firm date for genuine and meaningful talks."

    Mick Cash, General Secretary, RMT

  5. Concern for missing teenagerpublished at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Thirteen-year-old Leon Anderson hasn't been seen since Wednesday.

    He was last seen at an address in Westview Close in Peacehaven, around 18:00 GMT.

    He's five feet seven, slim and was wearing grey jogging bottoms, a black shirt and black and white Nike trainers.

    Leon AndersonImage source, Sussex police
  6. Baker joins the Big Lemonpublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Norman Baker and Tom Druitt on a Big Lemon busImage source, The Big Lemon

    The former MP for Lewes, Norman Baker has been announced as the new Managing Director of the Big Lemon Bus company. 

    The Big Lemon runs bus routes and coach hire services in and around Brighton and Hove using waste cooking oil from local restaurants.

    Next month it's launching two electric buses powered by solar energy generated on the roof of the bus depot. 

    Mr Baker has served as Chair of Bus Users UK since leaving Parliament in 2015 and he was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport between 2010 and 2013.

  7. Police 'fined victim for wasting time'published at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Shana Grice was penalised for wasting police time before she was murdered, a court hears.

    Read More
  8. Mental heath campaign comes to Hove schoolpublished at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Stuart Maisner
    BBC Live reporter

    As part of BBC News School Report day, Brighton-based Rizzle Kicks singer Jordan Stephens has taken his mental health campaign into a Hove school.

    You can find out more about #IAMWHOLE here, external .

    You can find out more about School Report  here

  9. Crawley owner asks for fans' patiencepublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Crawley Town owner Ziya Eren says the club's future is bright despite poor results - and says fans must be patient.

    Read More
  10. Runners reaction: Was Brighton Half Marathon was too short?published at 17:13 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Juliette Parkin
    BBC South East Today reporter

    The Brighton Half Marathon's being investigated over claims it's been 500ft short for the last three years.

    I've been trying to keep up with these runners in Brighton to find out what they think.

  11. Hopes review will clear sex-abuse carerpublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Darren Turk killed himself a day before he was convicted of 10 sex-related offences against boys.

    Read More
  12. Hundreds of South East drug drivers caughtpublished at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Alex Bish
    Investigative journalist, BBC South East

    Drug driving arrests in Kent and Sussex have doubled in two years.  

  13. Funeral of search kayaker is heldpublished at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    The funeral of a kayaker whose body was found after a major search operation is held.

    Read More
  14. Which South East building deserves an architecture award?published at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Stuart Maisner
    BBC Live reporter

    i360

    Fourteen buildings, including the i360 viewing tower in Brighton, have been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects South East awards 2017.

    Other buildings nominated across the South East include Kingsdown House in The King's School in Canterbury, Command of the Oceans at Chatham's Historic Dockyard, Hastings Pier and Brighton College.

    The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday 25 May.

  15. 'Our grandaughter's been taken away from us because of somebody's stupidity' published at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    The number of arrests for drug driving in Kent and Sussex have doubled in two years, since it became a specific offence.

    The law was changed after a campaign by the family of a girl killed by a driver who'd been smoking cannabis.

  16. Was the Brighton Half Marathon too short?published at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Brighton MarathonImage source, Brighton Marathon

    An investigation is underway over concerns the Brighton Half Marathon has been 500ft short for the last three years. 

    Organisers have confirmed they've been contacted by UK Athletics after a number of competitors contacted them. 

    In a statement they say they're investigating fully. 

    In 2012 organisers apologised to runners after finding the course that year had been a third of a mile too long.

  17. All change for the weekendpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    Weather presenter

    Well the Spring-like weather couldn't go on for ever, could it? 

    There's rain and wind on the way for the weekend. Here's my latest forecast. 

  18. Attempted robberies may be linkedpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Police are linking two attempted robberies in Hastings on Monday. 

    A masked man tried to rob Priory Stores in Priory Road at about 21:35 GMT. 

    He demanded cash but left empty-handed when a staff member pressed a panic alarm. 

    Officers say he was wearing a dark coat with fur trim. 

    Quote Message

    We believe this could be linked to an attempted street robbery shortly afterwards by the junction between Parker Road and Beaconsfield Road. Three people were approached by a man wearing a dark coat with fur trim and blue material covering his face. He demanded money but then left empty-handed in a black VW with dents and scratches down the side."

    Detective Constable Cally Fox, Sussex Police

  19. Have you seen Mark?published at 12:56 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Mark CroftImage source, Sussex Police

    Police say they're worried about a Worthing man who hasn't been seen for over a fortnight.

    Mark Croft, who's 54 and of no fixed address, was reported missing by his family on March 1.

    It's thought he was seen in the Goring area. If you think you've spotted him, you can call police on 101 or email here, external .

  20. Seagulls: Record renewal ratepublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2017

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Brighton and Hove Albion playersImage source, PA

    Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed a record number of season ticket renewals for next season, even though they don't yet know which league they'll be playing in. 

    98% of the existing 20,000 ticket holders have booked for another year. 

    Meanwhile the Seagulls' next home game against Blackburn Rovers, after the international break, has already sold out.