Gatwick Police are cracking down on unlicensed, uninsured and unroadworthy taxis.

Sergeant Darren Taylor said officers seized a number of taxis travelling to the airport this morning (Wednesday October 14).

He tweeted: “@GatwickPolice joint working with external agencies around taxis travelling to Gatwick.

“You would not drive an unlicensed, uninsured and unroadworthy vehicle so why would you get in a taxi like this?

“Taxi operation in full flow now. Already a number of drivers stopped and offences being uncovered.

“One driver’s licence revoked due to vehicle being non-compliant.”

He added: “Another vehicle seized and taken off the road...this time for no insurance”

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Police are appealing for witnesses after up to £6,000 work of equipment was stolen from a builder’s site.

Police said a development site called Vale House, in Gower Road, Haywards Heath, was broken into between 5.30pm October 13 and 7.45am on October 14.

Items are worth approximately £5,000 to £6,000.

Anyone with information is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting 0196 of 14/10/15.

Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert has called on shoppers to back British-grown flowers following a visit to a Walberton nursery earlier this month.

Ben Cross invited Mr Herbert to Crosslands Flower Nursery to see how he grows British Alstroemeria flowers, also known as the Lily of the Incas or Peruvian Lily, and highlight the difficulties faced by British flower farmers.

The decline of large scale British flower production is largely blamed on the increase of imported flowers into the UK from Holland, Kenya, Brazil, Ecuador, Columbia and more recently Ethiopia.

The UK imports more than 90 per cent of its flowers, with supermarket sales accounting for at least 70 per cent of those sales.

The Flowers and Plants Association suggests that the fresh cut flower and indoor plant market is worth £2.2 billion at retail level, more than the UK music industry. This represents an average spend per person per year of £36, but most of this goes on flowers from overseas.

Ben is a fourth-generation flower farmer specialising in growing British Alstroemeria under three acres of glass at the nursery. His family have farmed the land since 1957, and it is still a family worked nursery now growing over thirty varieties of British Alstroemeria.

Crosslands Flower Nursery produces more than 1,000,000 stems of British Alstroemeria every year. However, with the majority of the public buying their flowers from supermarkets, and wholesalers and florists buying cheap imports, the market is a challenging one for Ben to compete in.

National campaigns have been run, such as British Flowers Week in June, but Ben would like to see a lot more done for this once flourishing industry.

During the MP’s visit Ben talked about his hope to see a ‘Buy British’ campaign being extended to flowers, as has been done already for some food products.

He would also like to see flower sellers distinguishing between the flowers grown in the UK from imported ones so that buyers can make an informed choice.

When he is not busy at the nursery, Ben is often speaking to horticultural groups and enthusiasts around the country and takes the opportunity to promote the ‘Buy British Flowers’ message.

He also provides tours at Crosslands Flower Nursery for people interested in learning more about British Alstroemerias and the current state of the UK cut flower industry.

He said: “It is vital that the government back British Flowers and something is done to radically stop the high level of cheap imports so British growers can continue their heritage as flower growers.”

After the visit, Mr Herbert said: “I was delighted to accept Ben’s invitation to his nursery and to learn more about this local industry. I was shocked to learn that such a high proportion of the flowers bought in this country are imported. We’ve had ‘Buy British’ campaigns for food, so perhaps it’s time for a big push to buy British flowers.

“I told Ben that I would raise this issue with Ministers at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is a shame that a once flourishing industry should have lost out so badly, and sobering that Ben is the last large-scale flower grower in the area when there used to be so many more.”

He added: “Ben is a great advocate for British-grown flowers and as his local MP for a constituency where horticulture is important I will do what I can to support him.”

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West Sussex residents are being invited to have their say on how children in the county can get the best start in life.

They, and the whole community, are being asked for their views on a new plan to help all children thrive and prosper now and in the future.

The West Sussex Families Plan has been drafted by West Sussex County Council along with district and borough authorities, Sussex Police, and the NHS, and sets out how this partnership will ensure:

• Children and young people get the best start in life

• Children and young people are safe and secure

• Families are resilient and able to access support when they need it

• Children, young people and families succeed in learning, work and life.

Peter Evans, WSCC’s cabinet member for children – start of life, said: “This plan is our statement of shared ambitions for how we believe we can make a positive and significant difference to the life chances and experiences of children, young people and families in West Sussex.”

The plan also highlights how the partnership will help:

• New mothers, including teenage parents

• Children and young people who are bullied

• Children and young people who are subject to neglect and abuse.

To make sure everyone in the community is involved, WSCC is asking residents to read a draft plan then fill in a short survey as part of a four week consultation.

Mr Evans added: “We know families and businesses are very busy but we’re hoping everyone will take a few minutes to give their views on our new plan.

“Getting this right will make a huge difference to the future life chances and experiences of children, young people and families in West Sussex.”

The plan will cover the period 2015 – 2020.

To find out more information and to take part in the consultation visit {http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/FamiliesPlan|WSCC’s website|WSCC’s website}.

For a paper copy or alternative formats of the survey please call Lisa Prudente on 03302226981 or email lisa.prudente@westsussex.gov.uk

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Chocolate and green veg might not sound like the perfect pairing but this recipe is unexpectedly delicious; the addition of grated courgette gives this loaf a lovely moist texture and it is tasty!

Serve it hot out of the oven, and it will become your staple autumn warmer treat.

Nutritionist and chef Christine Bailey shows us just how quick and easy this bake can be.

It’s dairy and gluten free and thanks to the zero calorie stevia sweetener, it won’t affect your blood glucose levels- perfect if you’re catering for any diabetics or if you are on a paleo diet.

Not only is it packed with flavour, it’s also filled with goodness to give you a natural protein energy boost.

INGREDIENTS

Your ingredients for this recipe are:

1 medium courgette finely grated (150g)

3 eggs

150g cashew nut butter

30g Truvia calorie free sweetener

25g cocoa powder

30g coconut flour

1tbsp vanilla extract

1tsp cinnamon

1tsp baking powder

½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Pinch of salt

60g sugar free chocolate chips (dairy free if needed)

For more information visit: www.truvia.co.uk

The Post Office is proposing to re-open its Chelwood Gate and Dane Hill branches.

Both offices, at Chelwood Gate Village Hall and Dane Hill & Chelwood Gate Social Club, have been closed for several years.

The Post Office is now in a position to restore a service to its customers with the establishment of Hosted Outreach services.

At these services a nearby postmaster provides a service at set times each week.

The Postmaster from Ridgewood Post Office would visit Chelwood Gate on a Friday: 10am until midday and the Dane Hill Post Office on Fridays, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Caroline Hoare, field change advisor, said: “We understand the importance of having Post Offices in Chelwood Gate and Danes Hill.

“The Hosted Outreach services present the best possible solution in these areas.”

The Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move in a six week public consultation.

Post Office Ltd is requesting feedback on any issues customers would like considered.

Consultation will close on November 25. Submissions can be made during the consultation via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline on 03457 22 33 44 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.

Customers can also share their views online at www.postofficeviews.co.uk using branch codes 12691299 for Chelwood Gate and 13091299 for Dane Hill.

The new services may commence during consultation.

Unemployment figures for Horsham, Crawley, and Mid Sussex have all fallen noticeably since last year.

Data released by the Department for Work and Pensions today showed a drop in the number of Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) recipients compared with last year.

Horsham district had 371 claimants (27 per cent down from last year) with 75 of them in the 18-24 age range (29 per cent down)

Crawley had 893 claimants (18 per cent down from last year) with 145 of them in the 18-24 age range (19 per cent down)

Mid Sussex had 306 claimants (14 per cent down from last year) with 55 of them in the 18-24 age range (15 per cent down)

Simon Hobday, relationship manager at Horsham’s Jobcentre Plus, said: “It’s a fairly tight labour market, in that we’ve quite a large number of jobs that we’re struggling to fill.

“Many of the businesses are recruiting for their seasonal uplift over Christmas, particularly in retail services and care - those are the industries that are finding it difficult to source their applicants.”

He said examples include Poundland, Gatwick retailers, and the B&M branch about to open in Crawley.

Mr Hobday added that there is also a high demand for people to join apprenticeship schemes.

“We’re struggling, in some areas, to fulfil our apprenticeships. We’re trying to sift through our 18 to 24 year olds to find new applicants.”

The national unemployment figures can be found at {https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions| https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions|Link}

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The following are results from Sussex Northern magistrates sitting at Horsham and Crawley from September 21 to September 25.

Leo Khan-Greig, 29, of Hartfield Road, Forest Row, was ordered to pay £187 compensation, a £50 fine, a £20 victim surcharge, £80 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault, making off without paying after a taxi ride, and possessing a Class B drug (cannabis).

Gary Burgess, 31, of West Street, Burgess Hill, was given a community order, with a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault, and admitted to breaching a conditional discharge for criminal damage and threatening behaviour.

Jeremy King, 45, of no fixed address, was jailed for four weeks, with an £80 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £180 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to common assault, causing criminal damage to a police car, and breaching a restraining order by contacting a woman, all in Haywards Heath.

Paul Bowey, 46, of St Johns Road, East Grinstead, was banned from driving for a year, with a £500 fine, a £50 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving at East Grinstead.

Ryan Fry, 20, of Barn Cottage Lane, Haywards Heath, was fined £73, with £50 compensation, a £20 victim surcharge, and £85 costs. He had pleaded guilty to assault in Haywards Heath. A court order was made, barring him from The Burrell Arms in Haywards Heath.

James Creaghan, 25, of Copyhold Lane, Lindfield, was given a community order with six months of drug rehabilitation, a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and a £150 criminal courts charge. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault in Lindfield.

Alvaro Jorge, 42, of Gatley Avenue, Epsom, was fined £145, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to speeding at Bolney.

Daniel Wanstall, 28, of Greenhurst Drive, East Grinstead, was fined £220, with a £22 victim surcharge, £85 costs, a £150 criminal courts charge, and six penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to speeding at East Grinstead.

Simon Whittaker, 42, of Oakcroft Villas, Chessington, was fined £100, with a £20 victim surcharge, and three penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to speeding at Bolney.

Scott McCarthy, 27, of Royal George Road, Burgess Hill, was fined £80, with a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, a £150 criminal courts charge, and five penalty points added to his licence. He had pleaded guilty to failing to stop and give details after an accident.

-

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Police are warning people in Mid Sussex to beware of being tricked into buying expensive building supplies by cold callers.

It follows an incident at Jewson’s warehouse on the Bridge Road industrial estate in Haywards Heath shortly before 12.30pm on Tuesday (October 13)

Sussex Police said staff became suspicious after an elderly man accompanied by a man in his 20s came in and bought more than £1,000 worth of goods on the older man’s card.

They left together in a black Ford Focus car but the younger man later returned to the store in a white tipper truck to collect the materials.

Because the purchaser had appeared confused police were called, and on seeing officers arrive the man made off on foot, said police.

His vehicle and the goods were seized and officers are now trying to trace the man, described as a white Irishman, 5’, of skinny build, with curly ginger hair.

Police also want to hear from anyone else who may have been asked to buy items in similar circumstances by a man answering this description in order to establish if any crimes have been committed.

Anyone with information is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 565 of 13/10.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers without having to leave their name on 0800 555 111.

Forty jobs will be made at Gatwick Airport after easyJet opened its new training facility.

The Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP attended the official opening of The easyJet Gatwick Academy today (Wednesday October 14).

An easyJet spokesman said: “The new Academy, a £2.7 million investment by easyJet, has been built to accommodate easyJet’s continued growth and houses a world-class training facility comprising classrooms, cabin simulator, evacuation slide and fire training rig. This will bring 40 new jobs to Gatwick. The Academy is located within Concorde House at London Gatwick Airport and will train easyJet pilots and crew from bases across Europe.”

easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall announced it will recruit 310 pilots and 830 cabin across its UK bases crew over the next year.

Stewart Wingate, CEO London Gatwick Airport, said: “easyJet’s operation at Gatwick continues to go from strength to strength, with The Gatwick Academy the latest development in the easyJet Gatwick success story, as the airport becomes a pivotal base for easyJet’s training of pilots across Europe.”

Carolyn McCall said: “I am delighted to see the opening of the easyJet Gatwick Academy which is a modern state-of-the-art facility that enables us to continue to train our pilots and crew to the highest international standards at a time when the airline continues to grow.

“Over the next twelve months we will recruit over 1,100 pilots and crew. easyJet is a dynamic airline and we are looking for people who are as passionate about aviation as they are about customer service. We are fully committed to nurturing new talent and there are plenty of development opportunities available.”

Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin MP said: “The world-class reputation of British pilots and crews has helped build our thriving aviation industry and this training facility will help underpin that success.

“Airline pilots and crew are now able to apply for financial support as part of the government’s commitment to create three million more apprenticeships across the country. I welcome easyJet’s efforts to increase recruitment of female pilots and make sure that careers in aviation are open to all.”

Pauline Vahey, chair of the British Women Pilots Association said: “The British Women Pilots’ Association (BWPA) is delighted to partner with easyJet in this ground-breaking initiative. It aligns perfectly with the first aim of the BWPA to actively promote and encourage women into flying careers in the aviation industry.

“This initiative demonstrates that easyJet is a pioneer in the industry, not unlike the early women pioneers in aviation who founded the BWPA sixty years ago this year.

“We believe it will not only benefit easyJet and the women who participate but also the industry in general.”

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A member of staff at Sightsavers, Haywards Heath, has returned from a trip to Malawi with a film crew from Channel 4’s Unreported World.

Jo Mitchell witnessed the filming of the documentary, which will air this Friday (October 16) at 7.30pm, presented by reporter and wheelchair basketball athlete Ade Adepitan.

The programme shows the challenges of treating people with cataracts - the world’s largest cause of blindness - in rural Malawi.

The episode explores some of the problems faced by people living with blindness in developing countries.

It also highlights the work carried out by Sightsavers-supported staff to provide care to patients who might not otherwise have access to treatment.

Jo, an events manager for the charity, joined Ade Adepitan as he followed Rex Bwana-Usi, an ophthalmic clinical officer (eye nurse), going about his everyday work travelling to remote screening camps to diagnose and refer patients for surgery where necessary.

Rex, who works for the Malawi Ministry of Health and is also supported by Sightsavers, covers villages spread over 3,000 square miles of bush, relying on his motorbike to get about.

The Unreported World team travelled with him to a busy eye-screening where he diagnoses a number of people with cataracts.

Great grandmother, Emeresi Jasi, known as Jess, was not certain of her age but was around 80.

She walked barefoot for three miles for the examination. She was malnourished and weak because her blindness stopped her growing food. Rex told her he may be able to restore sight in her right eye if she can have surgery quickly.

The documentary also features the story of 14-year-old Rose who’s been blind since she was a baby due to cataracts.

The stigma associated with disability in these countries can leave many children with blindness isolated and lonely.

Rex believed it is worth trying to operate on Rose, in the hope that she will gain some sight and then be able to attend her local school.

Jo said: “It was so exciting to witness the making of Unreported World: The Fight for Sight. I was really moved by the stories of Rose, Jess and all the other people I met. I can’t quite describe how amazing it is to meet a child who’s blind one day and who can see the next. To watch as they celebrate a new lease of life is an incredible privilege.

“I was lucky enough to watch some of the cataract operations and was hugely impressed by the professionalism, dedication, precision and calm approach of the surgeons and their teams. There can’t be many jobs that bring as much joy to people’s lives.”

Sightsavers is one year through its ambitious Million Miracles appeal – a campaign launched to raise enough funds to carry out one million sight-restoring operations by 2017.

All donations made to Sightsavers until December 15, will be matched by the UK government.

Sussex Police is recruiting people to become special constables - one of the most interesting ways you can volunteer your time to serve your local community.

The police have opened the recruitment window again for accepting special constable applications. The closing date for applications is October 19.

Special constables have the same powers and much of the same training as full-time officers. Playing a vital role in neighbourhood policing teams, these officers can also train to undertake specialist roles, responding to 999 calls and working in the road policing unit.

Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith said, “We have more than 400 special constables working with our regular officers in Sussex. Special Constables are an integral part our ‘police family’ giving people the opportunity to get to the heart of the communities we serve.

“Last year, special constables volunteered more than 80,000 hours with us; their professionalism, commitment and enthusiasm is admirable.

“We are looking to recruit special constables across Sussex but I would particularly like to appeal for volunteers who live near Rother, Wealden, Midhurst, Petworth, Selsey, Lewes and Horsham. These locations are currently lacking in volunteers.”

A police spokesman said, “We encourage special constable applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who want to make a difference in the communities they live in.

“It is important that our workforce reflects the diversity of our local communities so that Sussex Police can continue to improve its service.

“We need people with skills born out of diverse backgrounds and experiences to help us deliver excellence in local policing across Sussex.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne added, “Special constables have been involved in policing Sussex since 1831 and are an integral part of policing in the modern world.

“They are a unique group of people who give their time for free to help keep Sussex safe, and they bring experience and diversity to the workforce.

“I would encourage anyone who would like to make a real difference in their community to find out more about this volunteer role available with Sussex Police.”

Special constables devote a minimum of 16 hours a month, supporting local police teams, gaining new experiences and skills and learning about many aspects of police work.

In depth training is provided covering the police service, the duties of a police officer, powers of arrest and common crimes, how to prepare evidence for court and personal safety.

To find out more about the Special Constabulary and application process see: /policing-in-sussex/work-with-us/special-constables

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A shake-up of the broadband market to challenge the dominance of BT could help close the ‘digital divide’ - according to Arundel and South Downs’ MP.

Nick Herbert welcomed the Government and West Sussex County Council’s programme to extend superfast broadband to the majority of businesses and households by the end of 2017, but warned that one in seven premises in his constituency would still not have access to superfast under the plans.

Speaking in a House of Commons debate on broadband on (Monday 12 October) he said that superfast broadband was no longer a luxury, but was essential for public services, individuals and businesses, and felt there was a danger of a ‘digital divide’ opening up for households that cannot access it.

He pointed out that by 2017 around 6,500 premises in his constituency would still be able to access superfast broadband, equating to 15 per cent of premises, three times the number implied by the Government’s target of connecting 95 per cent of premises by 2017.

Mr Herbert said: “It is clear from the Government’s figures that there will be a gap. What [my] constituents want to know is how that gap will be closed.”

He added: “We need to hear how the Government will ensure that rural areas are not permanently disadvantaged. Some households in my constituency can barely access broadband at all - they have the lowest possible speeds - let alone access superfast broadband. They need to hear now about future plans, recognising that their neighbours have successfully achieved superfast access.”

He continued: “There is a lack of competition in this area and that a shake-up of the market is needed. It is not satisfactory that 75 per cent of new superfast broadband customers on the Openreach network are BT or BT subsidiary customers.”

He pointed to BT’s declining investment in the copper wires that are still an integral part of the infrastructure. As a result, he said that fault rates had soared – an estimated 7,500 constituents reported a fault in the last year alone.

Reports of poor customer service were all too common, as he told MPs that around 82 per cent of his constituents waited for more than 12 days to switch from BT to Sky.

Mr Herbert also raised concerns about BT Openreach’s position within the BT Group at a time when the company has been investing in acquiring sporting rights for BT Sport, rather than in essential infrastructure.

He said that ‘we should not be willing to accept that situation, and the merger between BT and EE is likely to make things worse because Openreach will be a smaller entity within the overall size of the group and will not be focused on such issues’.

Mr Herbert called for Ofcom to take ‘a serious look’ at this sector and to make a referral to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

He concluded: “We would not accept such a lack of competition in the energy sector, yet there are fewer providers in the telecom sector for broadband than in the energy sector.”

Ed Vaizey, minister for culture and the digital economy, said that he was ‘confident’ that the Government would deliver superfast broadband to 95 per cent of homes and businesses by the end of 2017.

While he was ‘mildly sceptical’ about the break-up of BT, he said: “I am prepared to sit down with all my honourable friends and visit their constituencies over the next six months to discuss areas that are not getting broadband, so that we can work together to deliver it.”

Mr Herbert has invited the minister to address a ‘digital access’ summit which he is holding in conjunction with the South Downs National Park Authority on Friday November 20.

The summit will discuss how the premises which will not be covered under the Government and West Sussex County Council’s scheme will secure access to superfast broadband and digital services.

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Paint was thrown over several garage doors, splashing people’s cars, in Burgess Hill.

Burgess Hill Police are appealing for witnesses after the paint appeared overnight on Friday (October 9), in the Pannett.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police online via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 0649 of 11/10/15.

Dog owners are being warned of the dangers of acorns after a dog became very ill from eating the nuts.

Max, a four-year-old Yellow Labrador, from Burgess Hill, was taken into Heath Vets, in Junction Road, after his owners noticed he was lethargic, unable to settle and drooling excessively.

The poorly pooch was examined by vet Nicky Chinneck, who was concerned that Max had ingested something toxic. She gave him an emetic injection to induce vomiting. Within minutes, Max vomited up a large quantity of acorns.

Max started to improve quickly. The clinic staff fed him charcoal enhanced food to absorb any remaining remnants of the acorns in his stomach and intestines.

Acorns contain tannic acid, which is believed to be the toxic component, and can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Signs of toxic illness can include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, a lack of appetite and lethargy.

Sarah Solomon, practice manager at Heath Vets, said: “Max’s owners acted quickly so Max should make a full recovery. Whilst it can be difficult to watch your dog’s every move when out walking them, it’s important to try and ensure they don’t eat or play with acorns due to the toxic ingredient. If Max hadn’t been treated so quickly, the outcome may have been very different. Be aware of the symptoms of toxicity and if you are concerned in any way, contact your vets immediately.”

You haven’t lived until you have eaten a fresh homemade doughnut. Tony Staples, executive head chef at the Arora hotel in Crawley, shares his recipe for a family favourite with a seasonal twist...

My kids can’t get enough of apples, so it’s just as well that at this time of year they are everywhere.

I’ve got an apple tree at the corner of my road that has been filling our fruit bowl for the past few weeks.

And where I go fishing, I’ve discovered lots of small apple trees of different varieties.

I’m sure it is where fishermen have thrown their apple cores behind them over the years.

Every apple has its own unique taste and texture which is why, when it comes to this sauce for my family’s favourite doughnut, I have suggested using two different types – the Gala for a mellow apple-y flavour and the Granny Smith for a sharp tang.

If you’ve never had a homemade doughnut before, then this is definitely one to put on your bucket list.”

Enjoy seasonal produce all year round at The Grill.

To book, phone 01293 530000. Follow us on Twitter {https://twitter.com/arorahotels|@Arorahotels|website}.

Doughnuts with Apple and Calvados Sauce

Makes 12 large doughnuts or 18-20 small ones

For the doughnuts:

500g strong plain flour

60g soft butter

15g dried yeast

40g caster sugar

2 tsp salt

2 eggs beaten

250ml milk

Caster sugar and cinnamon

For the apple Calvados sauce:

2 Gala apples, peeled, cored and diced into half centimetre pieces

1 Granny Smith, peeled, cored and diced into half centimetre pieces

20g butter

1 tab caster sugar

Zest of half a lemon

75ml Calvados or brandy

2tsp cornflour mixed with a little water

For the Chantilly cream:

300ml double cream

100g icing sugar

Seeds from a vanilla pod or a teaspoon of vanilla essence

Vegetable oil for frying

Method

Put flour into a large bowl and rub in the butter until it forms a breadcrumb consistency.

Stir in the yeast, salt and sugar, and stir in the beaten eggs. Heat the milk until it is slightly warm – blood temperature – and stir into the mixture.

Using a dough hook on a mixer, work the dough for about 5-8 minutes.

Cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to double in size – about 45 minutes.

Divide into 12 large pieces, or 18-20 small ones, and shape into rounds. Leave to rise again for 10 minutes.

Heat clean vegetable oil in a fryer to 180oC and add the doughnuts a few at a time. Turn them over with a spoon until they are a dark golden colour – about 5 minutes. Place on a tray of sugar sprinkled with cinnamon, and coat the outsides while still hot. Leave to cool.

For apple sauce: melt the butter in a saucepan, add the sugar and gala apple and cook until the apple begins to soften.

Add the Calvados or brandy, the Granny Smith apple and lemon zest. Bring to the boil and simmer for a few minutes until the Granny Smith begins to soften, but still holds its shape. Stir in the cornflour and water mix to thicken.

Whip the double cream with the icing sugar and vanilla pod until it forms soft peaks.

Split the doughnuts in half without cutting all the way through. Fill with cream and top with the apple sauce.

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A super slimmer from Crawley was congratulated on losing 6st 7lbs by Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan after reaching the semi-finals of a national slimming competition.

Charlene Langhorn’s inspirational weight loss earned her a place as one of just 46 women from across the UK and Ireland who made the finals of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2015 competition.

Anthony, who made his name on TV as Gilly Roach in Hollyoaks and is currently playing Pete Barton in ITV1 soap Emmerdale, visited the organisation’s head office in Derbyshire on Sunday October 4 to help the slimmers celebrate.

Charlene, 35, joined the Maidenbower Slimming World group, which meets every Thursday at 7.30pm at Maidenbower Junior School, in August 2013.

She has since gone from 17st 10.5lbs to 11st 3.5lbs, and earlier this year her transformation inspired members of the group to vote her as their representative in the annual Woman of the Year competition. Then after winning the regional heat, Charlene secured a place in the national semi-finals.

She says: “I’d tried losing weight before – I’ve done pretty much every diet there is – yet I always found the plans that I followed too hard to stick to because they left me feeling hungry and deprived, which made me miserable. Slimming World was completely different, I don’t have to go hungry and I’ve never once felt like I’m missing out on anything. Many of the changes I’ve made to the way I cook and eat have been small ones, like swapping white bread for wholemeal and using low calorie spray instead of oil or butter in my cooking, but they’ve made a big difference to my weight. With Slimming World I still enjoy all my favourite dishes like lasagne too. The meals I cook taste great, so my family and friends are always happy to tuck in as well, which means I don’t have to spend time preparing different dishes for everyone and they’ve benefitted from eating more healthily without even trying. Nowadays, instead of snacking on biscuits or crisps, I’m more likely to have a piece of fruit or a fat-free yogurt. Although nothing’s banned at Slimming World so I still enjoy a glass of wine and some chocolate, too.”

Charlene says even with Slimming World’s easy eating plan she couldn’t have achieved all she has without the support of her Slimming World group.

“I can remember the first time I walked into the group I felt very self-conscious and so nervous, everyone was really friendly though and made me feel really welcome. Now I look forward to it every week. We swap recipes and advice, and it’s a lot of fun. The best thing is great support though and I don’t think I’d have been able to get to where I am today without my consultant Carly and the rest of the Maidenbower group.”

Carly Milham, who runs the Maidenbower Slimming World group which Charlene currently attends, said: “Charlene hasn’t only changed how she looks, she’s a different woman on the inside too. She’s blossomed into a happy, confident person and it’s been a pleasure to share in her journey. She’s already such an inspiration to so many of us in the Maidenbower group and I’m sure she’ll inspire even more people now.”

Anthony was amazed by Charlene’s weight loss. He says: “It was a real pleasure to meet Charlene and hear about her inspirational weight loss – she looks so happy and healthy now! I’m glad I didn’t have to be a judge in the competition because I think all of the women I met were amazing – they’ve completely changed their lives and that makes them all winners in my opinion.”

Unfortunately Charlene didn’t make the final of the competition. The overall winner of Slimming World Woman of the Year 2015 will be announced next month.

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A man was injured in a crash this morning (Friday October 16).

Emergency services were called to a collision involving a Peugeot 206 car and a motorbike on the A281 in Woodmancote at 7am.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said the motorcyclist, a man in his 40s, suffered leg and hand injuries and was treated by paramedics at the scene. He was taken to Worthing Hospital for further checks.

Police closed the road between the Bramlands Lane junction and the Horn Lane junction.

Engineers from West Sussex Highways attended and cleared mud from the road.

The road has now re-opened.

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Homes in East Grinstead and Hindhead were raided by fraud investigators yesterday.

A statement from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said they were investigating a case of suspected money laundering and VAT fraud.

The houses were searched and three people - two men and a woman - were arrested, interviewed, and released on bail until January.

John Cooper, assistant director, of HMRC Fraud Investigation Service, said: “We will not hesitate to investigate those suspected of tax fraud and ask anyone with information about alleged financial crime to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

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A 15-year-old girl has gone missing from her home in Burgess Hill.

Destiny Fossey, of St Andrews Road, was last seen leaving her home on Thursday (October 16) at 3pm.

She is described as white, 5’ 5” and of medium build with very long ginger hair. She was last seen wearing a dark blue sweatshirt, Nike trainers, jeans or leggings. She could also be wearing a woolly hat with a square logo.

PC Ben Whitehead said: “We are concerned about Destiny because she is only 15 and we believe she may be with people and men older than her in the South London area.

“We think she might have travelled on train to the Bromley or Brixton areas of London and she also has friends in Brighton.

“If anyone has seen her we are asking them to contact police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 34 of 16/10.”

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