Summary

  • An independent review into how the Church of England handled the case of a Sussex bishop accused of being a child abuser will be published later today.

  • The church has apologised to the relatives of former Bishop of Chichester George Bell for the way it investigated the claims.

  • Primary School children in Medway and East Sussex have fallen below the government's expectations with less than 65% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

  • The family of East Sussex adventurer Christian Velten - who went missing in West Africa 14 years ago - are still hoping he will make his way home after he was apparently seen begging.

  • News, sport, weather and travel updates for the South East of England

  1. Lorry halts train servicespublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Rail services were disrupted in Hove this morning, after a lorry hit a bridge.

    Lorry stuck in bridge, HoveImage source, Eddie Mitchell

    The 18 tonne truck became stuck under the bridge at Fonthill Road.

    Lorry stuck under bridge, HoveImage source, Eddie Mitchell

    Trains were stopped for 21 minutes, between 10:29 and 10:50 GMT.

    Lorry stuck under bridge, HoveImage source, Eddie Mitchell

    There were no injuries.

    Lorry stuck under bridge, HoveImage source, Eddie Mitchell
  2. Family of missing Sussex explorer hopeful he is still alivepublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Yasmine Djadoudi
    BBC Live reporter

    Christian Velten has been missing in Africa for 14 years. His family hopes he will return home.

  3. Burns replaces Batty as Surrey captainpublished at 13:43 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Gareth Batty steps down as captain of Surrey, and is replaced by Rory Burns for first-class and One-Day Cup matches.

    Read More
  4. New hope after missing man 'seen begging'published at 12:54 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    The sister of missing man Christian Velten says she had to think of him as dead to get on with her life.

    Read More
  5. Thief caught stealing Christmas decorationspublished at 12:49 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Lizzie Massey
    BBC Live reporter

    A number of homes in the Rainham area of Medway have had outdoor decoration stolen in the last week.

    One perpetrator was caught on CCTV stealing a family of light-up reindeer.

  6. Rough sleepers 'increasingly being attacked'published at 12:47 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Rough sleepers in Kent say there has been an increase in the number of attacks on them.

    One woman had her tent set on fire while she was sleeping inside.

  7. Church apology over bishop abuse inquirypublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Former Bishop of Chichester George Bell was accused of sexual abuse decades after his death in 1958.

    Read More
  8. Today's local newspaper headlinespublished at 11:58 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    NewspapersImage source, Getty Images

    The Argus, external: Ikea store will lead to A27 'traffic meltdown'

    Kent Online, external: Gay woman attacked outside her home

    Get Surrey, external: Ashes of twin babies stolen during 'heartbreaking' burglary recovered

    Brighton and Hove Independent, external: Brighton and Hove GPs to offer evening and weekend appointments

    Kent Live, external: Amazon delivery drivers 'forced to deliver 200 parcels a day with no time for food or toilet breaks'

    Littlehampton Gazette, external: West Sussex primary schools are poorest performing in the south east

    Crawley and Horley Observer, external: Man facing eviction from his allotment ... after erecting a flagpole

    Mid Sussex Times, external: Charity wins court case to preserve Grade I church in Poynings

    Chichester Observer, external: Bishop of Chichester responds to Bishop Bell review

    Hastings Observer, external: Stillbirth charity holds special candlelit service

  9. Lorry crashed into railway bridge in Hovepublished at 11:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Yasmine Djadoudi
    BBC Live reporter

    An 18 tonne lorry has become stuck after it crashed into a railway bridge in Hove this morning.

    The incident took place at 10:29 GMT on Fonthill road.

    Police say no one was injured.

    Trains were briefly stopped, but normal service resumed at 10:50 GMT.

  10. Prince to present honours in Surreypublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Lizzie Massey
    BBC Live reporter

    Prince Harry will present the Sword of Honour to the latest standout officer cadet at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

    The prince will hand out the top award to one of 187 officer cadets who will be passing out on the parade ground in Camberley, Surrey, later.

    He will also present the Overseas Sword and the Queen's Medal, as well as inspect the parade.

    The Sovereign's Parade takes place at the end of each term for those who have completed the intensive, year-long Commissioning Course.

  11. Man missing for 14 years 'seen begging'published at 09:57 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Sightings of Christian Velten, who went missing in Africa, leave his family hoping for his return.

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  12. Tasered shoplifter 'a danger to police'published at 09:18 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    Paul McClelland is suing Sussex Police claiming officers used excessive force while arresting him.

  13. It's Christmas Jumper Day todaypublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    We'd love to see your pics - they may make our Facebook gallery. To post them visit here, external.

    Boris Johnson and Teresa May waxworks wearing Christmas jumperImage source, EPA
  14. Stolen car hits grieving family's homepublished at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017

    A family are facing a £10,000 bill after a stolen car crashed into their uninsured home.