Fire crews in West Sussex have been called to 11 burst pipe incidents since midnight due to the cold weather.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “This is due to pipes freezing. We have been called to 11 incidents in West Sussex since midnight.

“The pipes had burst with water coming through the ceiling.”

Countless homeowners face the prospects of their water pipes freezing in treacherous temperatures.

And experts say if you don’t take precautions, you can end up with a £7,500 repair bill if your pipes subsequently burst and cause damage to your home.

Click here for eight tips to protect your home from the ‘Beast From The East’.

As the snow struck yesterday, Bognor Regis was one of many areas to be blanketed in white.

Neil Cooper has managed to capture these brilliant images of Hotham Park looking more like Narnia.

It follows great pictures shared from across the area earlier in the week.

If you have more to share, please email news@bognor.co.uk

‘Significant improvement’ has been made to the patient transport service across Sussex but ‘some areas do still need further work’.

That is according to the NHS commissioners that handed the contract for non-emergency transport to South Centre Ambulance Service (SCAS) around a year ago, following its disastrous spell under private provider Coperforma.

A joint statement from Sussex’s Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said: “Significant improvements have been made to the patient transport service and we are working closely with SCAS to ensure this continues.

“A recent review by Healthwatch has shown that patient satisfaction with the services has improved to 85 per cent across Sussex. “We are aware there are still some areas which need further work and we will continue to work with SCAS to ensure our patients are getting the best possible service.”

Sussex CCGs’ comments come in response to criticism over a damning report on Thames Ambulance Service, one of several private organisations outsourced to help deliver the Sussex service alongside SCAS.

Thames mainly runs its Sussex services in the East from its Uckfield base, one of its 16 sites nationwide.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors, in a report published on February 20, found a number of areas where serious improvement is is needed around its country-wide PTS delivery, including:

n A ‘poor culture around incident reporting, investigating and learning’

n A patient death which the CQC had not been informed about and which a ‘service lead could not locate the incident report or explain where they were in terms of the investigation of this’

n ‘The service did not have a clinical quality dashboard or similar to provide an overall picture of safety and quality at any given time’

n ‘There were no audits for deep cleaning or infection prevention control’.

As a result, the GMB union is calling on the Sussex CCGs to do more to support SCAS to reduce the number of private PTS providers, and to remove all those that are failing.

Gary Palmer, GMB regional organiser, said: “This report is damning. We must ask why the combined clinical commissioners of Sussex,x have not done more to ensure that a program of support for SCAS to reduce the number of private providers has not been more pro-actively promoted within Sussex.

“We must start backing the NHS Ambulance service to bring more of the provisions back in-house.

“When Coperforma ruined the PTS service here in Sussex, the clinical commissioners made the right move to kick them off the contract and to seek help from NHS professionals South Central Ambulance Service.

“SCAS answered the CCG call and the very much needed, but rushed transfer of services back to them, was a very good day for patients, the public and of course the staff left high and dry by a procession of rip off profiteers.”

‘No concerns’

SCAS said it has ‘no overall concerns with Thames’ performance and any challenges are addressed directly through the organisation in order to improve the service and implement any lessons learnt’.

Reflecting on its performance since taking over the PTS Sussex contract in April 2017, bosses admitted to a difficult winter.

Stacey Warren, area manager, commercial services said: “SCAS has recently made internal changes, which means that the team who are now controlling the dispatching of vehicles know and understand the geographical area and this has been a positive move for SCAS PTS in Sussex.

“The largest challenge is that on average in January 79 per cent of discharges or transfers were made on the day; giving SCAS no notice of the booking.

“The high amount of on the day bookings compromises the pre-planned discharges/transfers, as there is a higher demand to achieve packages of care.

“Saturday remains a challenge with resourcing and forecasting the unpredicted demand however progress is being made.

“With the systems available to us, and with almost a full year’s worth of our own data, we can more accurately start predicting this demand.”

She added: “SCAS has appointed a renal manager, and positive steps have been made with regards to a more detailed look at patient locations and destinations.

“Work has gone on to ensure that appointment times are correct, and that patients have dedicated drivers.

“SCAS is working on how to improve discharge and transfer (key performance indicators) KPIs and we have strong key stakeholder relationships which helps in our improving the service as we go into year two of the contract.”

Southern train passengers have been warned to travel before 3pm today as Sussex braces itself for more snow.

The Met Office has forecast periods of sleet and snow and freezing rain throughout Friday.

Although Southern says it is running a good service on most routes the weather is set to deteriorate.

The rail operator said on Twitter: “We are advising passengers to complete your journey BEFORE 15.00 today. While a good service is currently running on most routes, the weather is expected to deteriorate this afternoon and we may be prevented from running services on some routes.”

Send your snow pictures to the newsdesk.

Sussex Police has revealed it has been made aware of aggressive cold callers in Bognor Regis.

A spokesman said that one incident, at around 2.30pm on February 22, saw police informed that two men were making ‘aggressive cold calls’ in Sandy Road, Bognor Regis, swearing and banging on windows while attempting to sell items including sponges and first aid kits.

They added: “One man was described as white, tallk and skinny, with dark brown hair and carrying an Adidas sports bag.

“The other man was also white, shorter and younger than his companion, carrying a hooked pole.

“The men were seen to drive off in a white van.”

This report follows one shortled beforehand in nearby Harbour View Road, Bognor regis.

The spokesman said two men on foot and carrying holdalls were reported acting suspiciously. It is not known if the incidents were connected.

To report incidents to police, and find advice, visit www.sussex.police.uk. Phone 101 or 999 in an emergency.

An 8ft icicle in a railway tunnel which caused problems for Sussex commuters yesterday has been removed.

A spokesman for Southern confirmed to our sister paper Mid Sussex Times this morning that the icicle in Balcombe tunnel had been removed overnight.

Services were running at a reduced speed due to the enormous icicle, and trains were reportedly affected between Brighton and Gatwick.

Read our original story here.

Did the icicle affect your journey? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Email your comments to copydesk.sussex@jpress.co.uk

The owners of Bognor's pier have submitted an application to move the Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) from the rear of the building to the front.

Bognor Pier Leisure Limited has made the application under section 187 of the gambling act 2005.

The notice stated, if approved, it would see 'increase the extent of the licensed area'.

The deadline for representations is March 16, these can be made by 'a person who lives suffiently close to the premises to be likely to be affected by the authorised activities' or 'a person who has business interests that might be affected by the authorised activities'.

A spokesman for Arun District Council told the Observer that data protected information within the application itself means it is unable to share the application in its current format, however they stated arrangements to see the details can be made with the council.

What do you think of the news? Email news@bognor.co.uk

For more Bognor Regis news, click HERE

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing and East Hampshire Magistrates’ Court sitting at Portsmouth from February 20 to 27, 2018.

Christopher Nutting, 49, of Marsh Lane, Runcton, was fined £3,000 and must pay £270 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (87mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) on the A3 Petersfield on February 4, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Jay Wood, 24, of Russet Gardens, Emsworth, was fined £500 and must pay £50 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (71mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Solent Road, Havant, on February 3, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for three years.

Jack Beard, 24, of Lacock Close, Bracklesham Bay, was fined £80 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting failing to stop after an accident which caused personal injury to another person in Manor Road, Selsey, on February 10, 2018. He was fined £80 and disqualfied from driving for 24 months after admitting drink-driving (49mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Manor Road, Selsey, on February 10, 2018. He was fined £50 after admitting wilfully obstructing a police constable in the execution of his duty in Bracklesham Bay on February 10, 2018.

Kevin Howes, 54, of Wellington Road, Bognor Regis, was discharged conditionally for six months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting breaching a restraining order by visiting an area of Arundel from which he was prohibited on January 10, 2018.

MORE COURT: HM Courts Service: Results list for February 12 to 19, 2018

Elliot McDonald, 29, of Southfields Road, Littlehampton, was given a community order and must carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work after admitting drink-driving (101mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Hampshire Avenue, Bognor Regis, on February 10, 2018. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 24 months.

Adam Pheely, 28, of Farmside Gardens, Portsmouth, was fined £330 and must pay £33 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting harassment by sending emails despite being repeatedly asked not to make contact.

James Rogers, 39, of Kestrel Close, East Wittering, was discharged conditionally for six months and must pay £100 compensation, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting criminal damage to the front door of a property belonging to A2Dominion in Bracklesham Bay on February 13, 2018.

Stewart Smith, 69, of Heathfield Gate, Bepton Road, Midhurst, was fined £346 and must pay £34 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (58mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Bepton Road, Midhurst, on February 7, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Barry Wynn, 50, c/o Felpham Way, Bognor Regis, was fined £320 and must pay £32 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after being found guilty of drink-driving (62mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Chichester Road, Chichester, on February 7, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Matthew Roberts, 23, of Binsted Avenue, Felpham, was fined £400 and must pay £40 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without insurance in Sutton Close, Bognor Regis, on October 5, 2017. He also admitted driving a vehicle without an MOT certificate and failing to stop after an accident which caused damage to another vehicle, no separate penalties. His driving record was endorsed with six points.

UK Power Networks has given top tops on what residents should do when they experience a power cut.

These come after a number of homes were left with out power last night in Burgess Hill, due to an electrical substation explosion. Read our story here.

The distribution network operator for electricity covering the South East, said it had organised for ‘additional staff’ in its contact centre and ‘more engineers on the ground’, to be available.

A spokesman said: “You may be aware that the current cold spell of icy winds and snow may bring ‘freezing rain’.

“Freezing rain is a very rare weather phenomenon and occurs when very cold rain freezes immediately on landing.

“Our electricity network is built to be resilient but extreme weather can damage overhead power lines, resulting in some customers losing their electricity supply.

“Where this happens we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, and we have organised for additional staff in our contact centre and more engineers on the ground to be available to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the cold weather.

“Anyone experiencing a power cut should:

Call 105 to report power cuts and damage to the electricity network, or 0800 3163 105 (from a corded phone or mobile phone if you have no power)

Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates

Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map

Tweet @ukpowernetworks to report a power cuts or to receive updates.

“We advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone.

“If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

“We provide extra help to customers on our Priority Service Register during a power cut.

“Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the register.

“You can find out more information about our Priority Service on our website: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority.”

Planning permission is being sought to build five new homes on the former Southbourne Co-Op site.

If approved the existing building, located at the corner of Main Road and The Crescent, would be demolished and four two-bed properties would be built along the front with a detached two-bed 'chalet bungalow' to the rear.

The development site, which measures circa 0.08ha, is flanked by residential and opposite a chemist and St John’s Church.

The design statement described the existing building as being 'of no particular architectural merit' and explained The Southern Co-Op recently ceased trading from it, having taken up residence in a new, purpose built store close by.

It added that 'minor concerns' raised by the council regarding the 'roof form, the frontage onto The Crescent; and neighbour amenity' have been taken onboard, as have comments from the planning officer regarding the bungalow. It concluded the revised proposals (18/00201/FUL) now 'positively address' both and that the plans would 'make better use of this brownfield site'.

The deadline for comments on the plans, which are due for a decision by April 15, is March 23. More information can be found at chichester.gov.uk. For more Chichester news, click HERE
Let us know what you think by emailing news@chiobserver.co.uk

A man has appeared in court charged with possessing ‘Manga style cartoon book’ images of children and making hundreds of indecent photographs, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed.

Alexis Evetts, 35, of Selham Close, Chichester, pleaded not guilty to all eight charges relating to child pornography when he appeared at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 27, a CPS spokesman said.

According to the West Sussex Magistrates’ Court list, Evetts is charged with three counts of possession of prohibited images of children in ‘Manga style cartoon book’.

He also faces charges of possessing 286 prohibited images of children and 17 prohibited photos of children; one count of making 366 Category C indecent photos of children; one count of making 70 Category C indecent photos of children; and one count of making four Category B indecent photos of children, the court list shows.

Evetts is due to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on March 26 for a pre-trial hearing, the CPS spokesman said.

The Sussex-based fashion brand Boom Boom the Label is celebrating Kim Kardashian’s continued support, as she is seen wearing one of the company’s bodycon dresses during a scene in TV’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

She is featured in a tight fitting nude dress with low plunging front during a scene in Season 14, Episode 18.

This marks the second time the American reality television personality has worn one of the brand’s outfits, which are designed to have a supportive and figure flattering fit through a special production technique that sculpts the body with double layered fabric.

Alie Mackintosh, CEO of Boom Boom the Label which is based in Lewes, said: “Kim Kardashian has access to the best fashion brands in the world, so having one of our dresses worn by her is an incredible testament to our quality.”

Following a recent collaboration with the Kardashian’s chain of fashion boutiques ‘DASH’, Boom Boom the Label has been experiencing increased international sales growth, with 40 per cent of orders being placed from the United States.

Boom Boom the Label has recently launched a sister brand called ‘AYM’, which stands for ‘Always Your Moment’. The new AYM brand, offering trend-led products and a diverse range of designs from day to evening wear, has already secured an order with DASH within three days of launching and will be stocked in DASH stores in April.

This initiative looks set to grow the Lewes fashion brand even further, offering a diverse range of product options for its fashion-hungry customer base.

Boom Boom the Label was launched in 2012 and, in addition to Kardashian, has celebrities such as Pia Mia, Hailey Baldwin and Sarah Ashcroft amongs its clientele.

The company employs a team of 20 staff. They design and hand make the clothing in the Lewes studio in Thomas Street, shipping out to customers directly from its distribution warehouse, also based in the county town.

Kardashian first gained media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, but received wider notice after a 2003 sex tape with her former boyfriend Ray J was leaked in 2007. Later that year, she and her family began to appear in the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Its success soon led to the creation of spin-offs.

The petition was set up by housing campaigner Daniel Harris yesterday afternoon (March 1) after he discovered the benches in Edward Street, Brighton.

Mr Harris said the benches were 'clearly designed and chosen for one reason – to keep away rough sleepers'.

Similar benches hit the headlines last month, when British rapper Professor Green was filmed removing bars from seats in Bournemouth.

But it's not clear which organisation installed the seats.

Brighton and Hove City Council's lead member for homelessness denies the benches were installed by the local authority, but the First Base, the developer of the old Amex headquarters on Edward Street, said it had nothing to with them either.

Lucinda Mitchell, project director for First Base said: "We have no knowledge of who is responsible for the benches in the vicinity of our Edward street development site. We only became aware when this was brought to our attention on March 1, and we are liaising closely with the council and other local partners regarding this issue.”

And the council's lead member for homelessness Cllr Clare Moonan, said: "These are not council benches and are not on council land. We have no control over this private space. We do not have a policy of installing benches that are anti rough sleepers!!"

At the last count in November 2017, it was estimated that 178 people were sleeping rough on the streets of Brighton and Hove, giving the city the second largest homeless population after Westminster.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesperson said: "The benches highlighted in the petition being shared online were not installed by the council and are not on council owned land.

"No council benches are installed with an 'anti-homeless' intent as alleged recently on social media. The council has made tackling rough sleeping and protecting the vulnerable a priority.

"A range of bench types are installed by the council across the city to meet the different needs of residents and visitors.

"Some benches are designed to aid people with mobility issues.

"The City Parks team is looking at best practice for benches as part of the Open Spaces Strategy and will take into consideration the needs of people with mobility issues such as bench height, upright backs and armrests (at present only about 10 per cent of benches have armrests in Brighton and Hove). This work will include input from disability specialists and comparisons with other local authorities."

To view the petition, click here.

Praise has been given to the passersby who rushed to help a man after an accident left his car suspended in the air.

The man, in his 70s, was heading towards Chichester on the A259 in Emsworth, when he crashed into the railings outside the town’s baptist church, off the North Street roundabout.

His car ended up on top of the railings with two wheels of his silver Ford Focus on the ground in the air.

Mark Ringwood, a 63-year-old music promoter from Emsworth, saw the accident happen on Wednesday, February 28, at around 1.30pm, and went over to help.

He said: “The car was in the lane to go straight over the roundabout, and I saw it crash into the railings and then go up on top of them, so I swerved over to the bus layby to help.

“The car was suspended in the air and another guy ran over to help, he was an off-duty mechanic, and we opened the man’s car door.

“The mechanic turned off his engine to stop the one of the car’s wheels spinning, and we both made sure he was okay.

“It was clear he was in shock, he just sat there staring straight ahead, looking like he didn’t know how he got there – but within minutes about a dozen people had rushed over to help.

“An off-duty paramedic and fireman were there, and the paramedic checked his pulse and made sure an ambulance was on the way.”

He added: ‘I’m not surprised lots of people rushed over to help, but the speed and efficiency was quite remarkable.

“It was freezing but people just did their best to help in any way they could.

“It’s very lucky nobody was on the pavement at that time.”

Nikki Edwards had just attended Toddler Sense with her son and daughter at Emsworth Baptist Church, when she witnessed the incident.

She said: “I heard a bang when I was leaving the church, it was so loud.”

‘The poor man was still in the car but lots of lovely people stopped to help and were taking good care of him.’

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said one crew from Hayling Island Fire Station attended, but added that the man had already been taken out of the car and left in the care of paramedics by the time they arrived.

It is National Apprenticeship Week and here in our newsroom we are fully behind it.

That is because we have recently taken on four apprentices to work across our titles in West Sussex and are based at the offices of the Chichester Observer four days a week, while spending the fifth at Highbury College near Portsmouth.

Here, three of our apprentices talk about their first month in the job and why opted for an apprenticeship.

Belinda Dickins, age 20, who attended Cams Hill School, Barton Peveril College, Bournemouth University.

She says of the apprenticeship scheme:

“I decided to become a journalism apprentice after spending 15 months at university studying a completely unrelated course.

I wasn’t enjoying the course itself, but also we only spent two days in university a week.

“This wasn’t enough to keep me as busy as I would like, so I made the decision to leave and pursue another interest of mine: journalism. I wanted to stay in education and thought an apprenticeship would be perfect, to be given the opportunity to learn while gaining relevant experience - and getting paid.”

Yasmin Randall, age 20, who went to Chichester High School for Girls and Chichester College.

She says: “Being a journalist has always been a dream of mine but since I decided not to go to university after completing my A-levels, I was unsure of the career path I wanted to take.

When this opportunity came about many people mentioned it to me including my friends and family.

After much thought I decided I would be crazy to not apply for this chance because what could be much better than following my dream, gaining industry standard qualifications and being paid for it.

Throughout our time here with Johnston Press, we will be learning all aspects of journalism and when completed you would choose a field of interest you would hope to enter in the world of journalism.”

Sam Dixon-French, age 21, who studied at Tanbridge House School and Collyer’s College, both Horsham.

He says: “Shortly before I left college I saw a job advertised with a local bicycle distributor. Having been working in a bike shop at the time and not keen on going to university this seemed perfect for me. I worked there for nearly four years in a sales role, and while it was enjoyable I felt as though I wanted a new challenge. I didn’t want to continue in sales outside of an industry I was passionate about so I started looking at alternatives. Most jobs I was interested in required some extra qualification beyond A Levels but I didn’t want to go to uni. Having worked for four years I didn’t want to return to full time education or give up my financial independence.

“It’s really exciting working individually or as part of a team to create stories and it’s satisfying to see your name in the paper. The apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic opportunity and I feel privileged to be a part of it.”

A residential property in Easebourne suffered extensive flooding during an icy Friday.

Midhurst Fire Station tweeted this picture and said: “Appliances sent at 12.38pm to another #flooding call in #Easebourne road continue to be challenging with flurries of snow fall #Midhurst.”

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service then told the Observer: “Two crews from Midhurst (one fire engine and one specialist appliance) attended a residential property after reports of flooding.

“On arrival there was a large amount of water coming through the ceiling.

“Crews were able to isolate the water and electrics and undertake salvage work.

“The incident was closed at 1pm. This is the second flooding incident that Midhurst have attended in the last 24 hours.”

Marie Curie is urging people to back its annual daffodil appeal after it estimated it could lose £400,000 in donations due to the snowy weather.

The terminal illness charity launched The Great Daffodil Appeal, which launched on Thursday and runs throughout March. Thousands of volunteer collectors across the country take to the streets to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins in exchange for donations.

But while the appeal is usually accompanied by the first signs of spring, heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures could mean that many volunteers are unable to make it to their collections and that would-be donors stay home rather than brave the high street.

With over 1,000 collections across the country at risk this weekend, Marie Curie has estimated that it could potentially lose as much £400,000 in donations.

Jacquelyn Lucas, Great Daffodil Appeal Manager for Marie Curie said: “We’re really excited to be kicking off this year’s appeal but the extreme weather is certainly proving a challenge.

“We are worried that it will have a significant impact on our fundraising, so we want people to know that they can also donate online and via text.

“The money raised is vitally important to ensuring that as many people as possible can receive our nursing care.

To donate to the appeal, you can go to the Marie Cure website, or make a donation of £5 via text, by texting DAFF to 70111. They are also reminding people to pick up their daffodil later in the month

once the weather improves.

Daffodil pins will hopefully be available from volunteers on high streets, Marie Curie shops, and stores including Superdrug, Spar, Poundworld, Hotter Shoes and Wyevale Garden Centres.

Jacquelyn added: “We hope that as many collections are able go ahead as possible but I know that our amazing volunteer collectors always go the extra mile for us, so I would also ask that they keep themselves safe and warm if there are extreme conditions where they are.”

The money raised from the appeal will help Marie Curie nurses be there for more people living with a terminal illness. Marie Curie nurses visit people in their own homes to give one-to-one care, and support those looking after them – helping families and carers to make the most of the time they have together.

Marie Curie said this year’s appeal is urgently needed as one in four people currently don’t receive the care and support they need at the end of their life. The charity also warns that with the population getting older, demand on the charity’s services is set to increase.

To find out more about the Great Daffodil Appeal in Sussex, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil or call Community Fundraiser, Demi Bevis-Roadnight on 01883 832 624.

Texts cost £5 plus your standard network rate. Marie Curie will receive 98 per cent of your donation.

A Sussex hotel has taken two homeless people under its wing during the cold weather this weekend.

The Ellesmere in Wilmington Square, Eastbourne, is providing free food and shelter for the two men who would otherwise be on the street.

This comes after the Siberian cold weather front dubbed ‘the Beast from the East’ brought temperatures of -10°C including wind chill to Sussex this week.

Manager Tony said, “We opened our doors this morning, two rooms free of charge for the weekend.

“They are very relieved, both of them. They had been staying in the night shelter but were catching colds and freezing during the day, and were worried about the weekend.

“The weather is ridiculous, I have got a heart for homeless people. They’ve fallen on hard times due to relationship breakdown or financial problems or whatever.

“We don’t want to see anybody in this weather staying outside, it’s horrendous, it’s bad enough going out for 20 minutes never mind being there all day.”

The hotel contacted the charity Home Works (East Sussex) to offer to do what they could.

They have now arranged with the local housing association to let the pair stay in the hotel for a period of time to get them back on their feet.

To read more about homelessness in Eastbourne, click here or here.

Two Indian restaurants’ premises licences have been revoked due to employing illegal workers after an unsuccessful appeal earlier this week.

Cottage Tandoori in West Street, Storrington and the Indian Cottage, in London Road, Ashington, can still remain open but can no longer sell alcohol, or provide food and refreshments after 11pm, according to Horsham District Council.

Back in September the council’s licensing sub-committee heard from Home Office officials how both restaurants had been visited three times each by immigration enforcement teams, with illegal workers found on each visit.

As a result, councillors decided to revoke both location’s premises licences, but this was appealed.

However these decisions were upheld at an appeal hearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday February 28, and the revocations will now be enforced by the council with immediate effect.

Full costs were also awarded to HDC.

Commenting on the result of the appeal Jim Sanson, chairman of the council’s Licensing Sub-Committee said: “Having heard from Home Office officials that after several visits to the premises in question, illegal workers were repeatedly found at each site, the Licensing Sub-Committee has no option but to revoke these licenses.

“Information for employers on the correct procedures to be adopted is readily available to businesses so there is really no excuse.”

Back in September barrister Kris Berlevy, speaking on behalf of Kaher Zaman who is the premises licence holder for both restaurants, explained how Mr Zaman had ‘taken his eye off the ball despite an unblemished 30 year history’ due to a mixture of personal circumstances and family matters.

Mr Zaman said: “I make sure anybody who comes into the premises looking for a job and applying for a job has to show their paperwork before they even do a trial period. Before all that did not happen.

“I hold my hands up and accept that responsibility.”

Firefighters have risked their lives to rescue two boys who became trapped after walking over a frozen pond.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called to the pond by Moat Road in East Grinstead at 11.10am following reports the pair had walked over the frozen water to reach an island in the middle, but had then become trapped.

The service sent three fire engines - two from Crawley, one from Forest Row - and a technical rescue team to the scene. Video taken Amy Latter, who lives next to the pond, shows the firefighters breaking the ice and wading through the water to reach the boys, before sending an inflatable rescue raft across the cleared area. The two boys then get in the raft and are brought safely back to the main shore.

The fire crews left the scene at just after 12pm this afternoon.

East Grinstead Fire and Rescue Service responded to a tweet about the incident, criticising the youths for their behaviour. Their tweet said: "Hey fellas, thanks for putting our colleagues at extreme risk. Was it worth it?"

Sussex Fire Control also posted on social media to warn others from walking on frozen bodies of water. It said: "Do not put yourself at risk by entering frozen lakes or ponds. Stay away from the ice."