A man has been banned from touching unattended vehicles after carrying out a string of thefts from vehicles in Sussex.

Police said Darion Bates, 51, of no fixed address, was given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after being convicted of carrying out a large number of incidents in the north Horsham area over the last year.

Officers said as well as being banned from touching any unattended vehicles or entering driveways and residential properties without the owners permission he has also been banned from entering a number of streets for five years.

The order, imposed by Crawley Magistrates’ Court, states Bates can not enter Beech Road, Elgar Way, Walton Drive, Lambs Farm Road, Fency Close, Briton Close, Beaver Closer, Lockwood Close, Earls Meadow, Cookes Mead Rusper, Forest Close and Greenfields Road.

PC Adam Ferries, of the Horsham Prevention Team, said: “We are aware of the impact Bates has been having on the local community and we hope this order will send out a clear message that we are listening to issues and robustly responding.

“Bates has recently been convicted of a number of incidents of vehicle interference and theft and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“For this order to be successful we need to rely on the ears and eyes of our community. If you see Bates in an area he is prevented from being in please get in contact with us. No one knows your neighbours and community better than you do so let us work together and ensure this behaviour is not tolerated.”

Anyone who sees Bates in a restricted road or engaging in a crime is asked to contact Sussex Police online or by calling 101 quoting 4719001402.

The jury in a murder trial have been warned not to let concerns about knife crime in the UK affect their judgement in the case.

Jurors were selected today for the trial of a boy accused of murdering Crawley man Arnold Potter.

The trial relates to an incident in November last year.

The boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - is charged with murder and possessing a bladed article. He denies both charges.

Speaking today at Hove Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Gold QC issued a warning to jurors about knife crime.

He said: "It is constantly appearing in media and people understandably have strong feelings about it.

"It is very important that you do not bring any preconceived ideas or views about knife crime and its prevalence to this trial.

"We are all concerned of course about knife crime but you have very specific purpose in this trial.

"You must try this case on the evidence you hear in this courtroom."

The trial - which is expected to hear the prosecution opening tomorrow - continues.

April is bowel cancer awareness month. A man shares his story of treatment and celebrating five years in remission.

Every 30 minutes someone dies from bowel cancer, making it the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

Charity Bowel Cancer UK is encouraging people living across the country to know what to look out for and to not be embarrassed about seeing your GP.

It is very treatable but the earlier it is diagnosed the easier it is to treat.

John Anton, from Hove, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2010.

He said: “I have had a history of Colitis since I was about 31 years old.

“When I was just 50 I had a very nasty flare up, which was treated in the normal way.

“After a month or so with no improvement, despite the usually helpful ‘mega dosage’ of prednisolone steroid (40mg per day), I went back to see Dr Holdstock, who booked me in for an emergency endoscopy, which he said he would perform himself.

“When I came to instead of a kind nurse leaning over me it was Dr Holdstock, with a fairly serious look on his face.

“I asked him what he’d found, and he started to mention nothing absolutely definite, more tests needed, etc, but I said ‘we know each other well enough for your best guess, and he said ‘bowel cancer’.”

Because of his history with Colitis John underwent a colectomy, a fairly large operation which involves removing the entire colon, and forming an ileostomy, or stoma, which collects waste into a drainable stoma bag.

At a follow up meeting he was told that three out of 25 lymph nodes showed the cancer had spread and that he was ‘stage 3’.

He was put on chemotherapy for three months, and at a six month scan he was told all was well.

But 18 months later a CT scan showed a ‘cricket ball’ sized metastatic tumour in his liver.

“I was now stage 4 – there is no stage 5,” he said.

“I was told I needed immediate chemo, via a portacath (a small chamber or reservoir that sits under your skin at the end of your central line. The other end of the line sits in a large vein close to your heart) – but the NHS waiting list was about six to eight weeks, so I was asked if my company provided BUPA.

“It did, and so I had my portacath fitted within the week, a new, totally different type of chemo regime, and more scans to see if I was one of the lucky Liver Mets patients whose tumour was ‘operable’.”

The scans revealed he was suitable for surgery so after his chemo the tumour was removed.

After more chemo sessions John went for three monthly scans, but a year later another tumour was found in the liver.

“This time it was in a place that was very tricky to operate on. I was lucky enough to still be covered by BUPA.

“My oncologist suggested my best chance was RFA (radiofrequency ablation), which uses heat to destroy cancer cells, combined with Cyberknife treatment.

“It is one of the most advanced forms of radiosurgery — a painless, non-invasive treatment that delivers high doses of precisely targeted radiation to destroy tumors within the body using a robotic arm to deliver highly focused beams of radiation.

“BUPA approved both treatments and so over the next few months I undertook these procedures.

“Again, these were successful in ‘killing’ the tumour. By now it was the autumn of 2013 and so, over the next six years, up until December 2018, I have been having regular scans – initially every three months, then every six months, then every year.”

John has been in remission for five years.

“The good news is that getting NED (no evidence of disease) results back, consistently over the last five years has allowed me more and more hope of a successful long term outcome,.

“I quickly got back to my running, cycling, sea swimming, going on holidays, going out to restaurants, the movies, concerts, and that’s how I’m now living my life.”

Many people ignore the symptoms as they are embarassed to see their GP.

John said: “If you have any fears about any symptoms of bowel cancer or any cancer be persistent and see your GP.”

A Littlehampton boy saved his mum’s life by calling 999 when she collapsed at home with breathing difficulties.

It was thanks to Sean-Michael Corcoran, 10, that help came quickly and doctors later told dad Simon Packham it was a life-and-death situation.

Michelle Packham had not been well for a while and when she got up to dress her three-year-old daughter Aine, she found she could not get her breath.

“I collapsed in my daughter’s bedroom,” she said.

“I was slipping in and out of consciousness.”

Sean-Michael has received a certificate from SECAmb in recognition of his quick thinking and brave actions on the morning of February 2.

He was nine at the time and called Simon first but he was at work and, not thinking it was too serious, told the lad he would have to take charge.

The schoolboy called the ambulance and called Michelle’s friend, who quickly arrived.

Michelle said: “He was able to tell them exactly where we lived and was able to give them the postcode phonetically.

“The paramedics were so impressed. The doctor spoke to my husband afterwards and said had they not got there so quickly, it would have been fatal. He definitely saved my life.

“My daughter was on antibiotics but Sean knew all her doses. He played with her and kept her calm. He is a worrier but he didn’t panic that day. The paramedics couldn’t believe how cool, calm and collected he was.”

Michelle, who now works at White Meadows Primary Academy, was in the ambulance service for ten years and Simon is a police officer, so they have always taught Sean-Michael the importance of knowing his address and how to make an emergency call.

Following the incident, Michelle was invited to give a talk about it at Sean-Michael’s school, St Philip’s Catholic Primary in Arundel, to emphasis to the other children how vital it is.

Kirsty Clarkson, the emergency medical adviser who took Sean-Michael’s call, was so impressed with him, she came down from Gillingham for the award presentation so she could meet him.

She said: “Sean-Michael did a great job, speaking clearing and confirming his postcode. He stayed calm and was very brave.

“He also remembered to let us know about some medication his sister was on. He should be very proud of everything he did.”

Michelle was diagnosed with pneumonia and had to spent a number of weeks recovering at home but said she is now on the mend.

She added: “We’re obviously very proud of Sean-Michael’s actions in getting me the help I needed. He did really well and I’m so grateful he acted so quickly to get me the help I needed.”

Call the Midwife actor Jack Ashton will be swapping his church robes for running gear as takes on a muddy challenge for charity this summer.

Jack, best known for playing Reverend Tom Hereward in the popular BBC drama series, will be taking on the slightly different role this summer as he heads up the Queen Victoria Hospital team in the East Grinstead Mud Monsters run.

The event, which takes place on Sunday 9 June, will take participants across a 5km, 10km or 20km journey across muddy fields, up steep hills, through woods while navigating through mud pits and over obstacles.

And Jack, who is an ambassador for QVH Charity, will be taking on the longest challenge.

He said: "I’m really excited, and slightly daunted, by taking on the 20km part of this run but it’s all for a very good cause.

"I know how integral Queen Victoria Hospital is to the local community and the life changing care they provide. I’m determined to do as much fundraising as I can to help them by taking on this challenge.”

You can get involved and support Jack as well as staff from Queen Victoria Hospital by joining their team and raising some money for the hospital. To sign up please visit https://www.mudmonstersrun.co.uk and choose their team ‘QVH Gets Muddy’ - you might even catch a glimpse of Jack at the start line.

Camilla Slattery, head of fundraising for QVH Charity, said: “Last year QVH Charity funded £172,000 worth of improvements at Queen Victoria Hospital which paid for innovative medical equipment, improved patient areas as well as funded research.

"The donations we receive allow us to make a real difference at the hospital. We hope lots of people get involved and sign up to join Jack and the QVH team to fundraise so we can do even more.”

QVH Charity is also looking for volunteers to help on the day. If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved, contact camilla.slattery@nhs.net.

Six masked men who broke into a shop in Horsham town centre escaped with a £500,000 haul of jewellery.

Police said today that the gang of thieves broke into the back of Pandora in Swan Walk shopping centre in ‘a determined night time attack’ in the early hours of March 22.

The gang stole charms, necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings - and left other jewellery scattered around the shop - before they fled towards Albion Way and the nearby Y Centre.

A police spokesman said: “The alarm was raised just before 12.30am with a report that six masked men had broken into the rear of the building, put a wide range of jewellery into bags that they had brought with them, and then fled.”

He said police were on the scene within five minutes of the alarm being raised, and searched the area, but no suspects or jewellery were found.

Police Investigator Sean Tucker said: “This was a determined night-time attack on an unoccupied shop by thieves who will want to dispose of the property, so we are asking other retail outlets, and members of the public, to let us know if they are offered quantities of jewellery, perhaps at cut prices.

“Anyone with information about the incident or who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area, perhaps in the days leading up to it, is asked to report online or call 101 quoting serial 17 of 22/03.

“You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Crawley's police chief has praised her officers after 32 people were arrested over the weekend.

Chief Inspector Rosie Ross said on Twitter: "Hard work by Crawley police team, and this will be on top of dealing with missing people and other causes for concern etc.

"Thank you to all - people don’t always get to see the work you do but you really do your utmost to keep people safe."

Her comments came after police in the town announced today that 32 people were arrested in Crawley over the weekend for various offences.

The alleged crimes include: Stalking, breach of the peace, driving a vehicle without due care and attention, assault, sending offensive communications, drunk and disorderly, drink driving, harassment, assaulting an emergency worker, theft from shop, concerned with supply of Class A drug, threats to kill, breach of criminal behaviour order and robbery.

There is more than a fortnight to go before Easter but I would put a family pack of hot cross buns on the fact that many of you have already scoffed at least one chocolate egg this year.

We are a land of Easter Egg lovers, so much so that entire supermarket aisles are dedicated to the sweet treats but are we overdoing it?

That is the fear of health experts who believe the obsession with stuffing our faces with brittle cocoa-based products is turning us into a nation of fatties.

The National Obesity Forum has warned that some of the best known brands of eggs contain as much as 17 times the recommended daily amount of sugar for young children. You may or may not know that it is advised that youngsters aged between four and six consume no more than 19g of sugar while one giant egg is full of 330g of sugar. It doesn’t matter how sweet your tooth is, that is one hell of a lot of the white stuff - enough even to give Willy Wonka a headache.

Manufacturers argue that the eggs they churn out by their millions are meant to be savoured over time and not to be consumed in one go. To many that well rehearsed line sounds like a textbook example of corporate info-waffle, spouted by people who either don’t have children or, if they do, have hired help to manage their daily calorie intake.

Nearly every parent I know attempts to adhere to the policy of moderation when it comes to food that isn’t fruit or broccoli but, in reality, this isn’t always an option. There can’t be many parents who could honestly tell you that their little darlings never consume more than the recommended amount of sugar, simply because the stuff seems to be everywhere.

Yes, parents have the ultimate responsibility when it comes to what our children put in their mouths but we all need help from big business.

The argument against the early availability of Easter eggs is an old one but one that has a lot of merit. I don’t know about you, but I have never really considered buying eggs in February or early March as I am still recovering from the relentless onslaught that is Christmas but it is clear that many people do, otherwise they would stay in the warehouses and stockrooms of the UK until a week before Easter.

While I am all for forward planning, there really is no point in buying Easter eggs any earlier than the days before the longest weekend of the year, simply because there is no human being that I know who is capable of ignoring any form of confectionery in their cupboards or, if you are really old, your pantry.

There is plenty of chocolate already available to the public, without adding an endless array of eggs and giant foil wrapped bunnies to the mix. I tend to agree with the experts at the Royal Society for Public Health who argue that the grand displays that have loomed large in nearly every supermarket for the past month are causing unnecessary temptation.

Mrs Tapp and I have promised each other that we will monitor our household chocolate consumption more than ever before this Easter.

If we do succeed, it will really will be the sweetest of victories.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to a domestic fire in Lyons Road, Slinfold, at 6.06pm yesterday (Monday, April 1), a spokesman confirmed.

At its height, six crews were dealing with the blaze at the two-storey, derelict building, which had also spread to the outbuildings, the spokesman said.

The fire service tweeted to warn nearby residents to keep their doors and windows shut.

Lyons Road was closed between the junction of the A264 and at the entrance to Theale, according to police.

Horsham Police said it was a 'major fire' and urged residents to find alternative routes.

Fire crews used two water carriers, two hydrants and two jets at the scene.

By 3.29am this morning crews were damping down the area, the spokesman said.

Firefighters remain at the site this morning.

Billingshurst Fire Station tweeted today: "We attended a serious property fire yesterday evening along with another four appliances from Horsham, Crawley and Partridge Green.

"Two water carriers were required due to poor water supplies."

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage, the spokesman said.

SEE MORE: Crawley police praised by Chief Inspector after 32 people arrested over the weekend

Masked gang escape with £500,000 haul in raid on Horsham jewellers

Police have charged a 15-year-old girl with possessing a lock knife and assaulting an emergency worker in Burgess Hill, a spokesman said.

Police responded to a report of anti-social behaviour in Burgess Hill yesterday afternoon, according to a tweet by Mid Sussex Police.

Police tweeted: "We have charged a 15-year-old girl with possessing a lock knife and assaulting an emergency worker after a report of anti-social behaviour in Burgess Hill yesterday afternoon.

"Luckily the knife was not used in the assault on our officers and no injuries were received."

SEE MORE: Six crews tackle 'major fire' at derelict Horsham house
Crawley police praised by Chief Inspector after 32 people arrested over the weekend
Crawley murder trial - judge warns jurors about knife crime as case begins

Farmers and landowners across Sussex are being advised to ensure outbuildings are secure as they are the number one place targeted by thieves.

The reason is that these places often contain chainsaws, strimmers, hedge cutters and leaf blowers.

Sussex Police say that in the past week items worth £75,150 have been stolen - these include:

6 chainsaws, 4 motorcycles, 3 batteries, 1 impact driver, 5 electric drills, 2 socket guns, 6 circular saw blades, 1 woodchipper, 1 pressure washer, 1 pump, 6 strimmers, 1 lorry, 3 diggers, 1 auger, 1 caravan, 2 generators, 10 tool boxes with tools in, 2 post knockers, 1 chainsaw jacket, 1 pair of chainsaw trousers, 2 hand rotovators, 4 lawn mowers, 1 radio, 1 set motorcycle ramps, 1 set car ramps, 2 trailers, angling equipment, 1 washing machine, 1 microwave and 3 washing lines.

Police said: “Please ensure that you keep a record of the serial and model numbers of your equipment and record them on a database such as immobilise.com as without them it is unlikely that you will get your equipment back.”

Equipment and tool security advice

Equipment and tool security can be a particular issue for rural businesses and farms.

To keep your belongings safe:

- lock equipment away in a secure building or part of a building when not in use

- invest in a secure storage toolbox

- install a burglar alarm on buildings where equipment is kept

- always lock vehicles when left outside and keep the keys in your possession

- keep expensive items and vehicles out of sight when not in use

- consider using hitch locks, wheel clamps or ground anchors

- mark your tools and equipment and register them for free with immobilise.com

- keep a record of all valuable items

- consider fitting outside security lights

Losing at Morecambe was no laughing matter for Crawley Town, partly because some thought that it was in the script.

It seemed easy to predict that the Reds would have the better of a dour encounter but would somehow manage to lose it at the end.

That is just what happened and it was another match Crawley could and should have won but didn’t.

The trouble is that it was only Morecambe – a small town club with a tiny budget.

We should know how to deal with that because we are also a small town club with limited resources but additionally one bereft of luck.

If there is monotony in this column it is largely due to the fact that it is a case of ‘same old, same old’ for Reds fans.

At the Globe Arena Crawley made the early running, created some openings and but failed to finish off any of them.

That must have been particularly galling for the enterprising Reece Grego-Cox who produced a spectacular overhead-kick that left ‘keeper Barry Roche helpless but cannoned off the crossbar.

His inventiveness should have sparked the lacklustre Ollie Palmer into greater action.

And there lies the rub. The action stats for the season confirm just how reliant Crawley have been on Palmer, not just for goals scored but also for attempts.

When he isn’t on top of his game our options are limited.

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Filipe Morais has been our number two attacker but has not regained his early season form following his injury.

Early on Ashley Nathaniel-George hinted at his striking capabilities but he had no luck and faded away.

Reds have scored 40 goals in their 40 games which is simply not enough and we must hope that Grego-Cox continues to improve as he could become a real asset up front.

That’s not the answer though as the defence remains porous. It only takes a simple slip or a moment’s lack of concentration and everything is undone.

The wise men will always remind you that you have to score whilst you are on top.

Morecambe’s goal was a decent one – a precise cross from Zak Mills on the right and a powerful header by Liam Mandeville with just ten minutes to play.

The defence will have to ask themselves why nobody anticipated the move, thus creating the possibility of cutting out the cross.

Certainly Mandeville knew what was happening,

One change did occur as other results went against us. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

Reds slumped a couple of places closer to the drop zone and although the points gap (and Yeovil Town’s execrable form) still offers hope we are playing as though we expect the worst.

The coaching staff need to prove their worth by getting the best out of the limited means at their disposal but I simply don’t believe they have got it in them.

All four indicative votes on Brexit options put forward by MPs failed to secure a Commons majority last night (Monday April 1).

A) Customs union proposal (273-276), B) Common market 2.0 (261-282), C) Confirmatory vote on Brexit deal (280-292), D) Extend Article 50 and give Parliament power to determine next steps (191-292).

Thieves broke into a Transit van at premises in Guildford Road, Horsham, but fled empty handed.

In a statement issued today, police say the incident happened on March 20. The thieves also made an unsuccessful attempt to break into a nearby building, activating an alarm.

Harvey’s Brewery gained two awards at the International Spirits Challenge 2019. Malt Gin was awarded a Silver Medal and Hop Gin a Bronze Medal in their respective classes.

Both gins are produced from English malted barley. It is mashed at the brewery in Lewes, using exactly the same system that initiates production of the company’s award-winning beers.

The resultant sugars are then transported to the English Spirit Distillery in Great Yeldham, Essex, to be fermented and distilled. A special blend of botanicals is added to the Malt Gin and a separate distillation of freshly picked Sussex hops gives the Hop Gin its defining character.

Now in its 24th year , the ISC receives more than 1,700 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide. The rigorous and independent judging process takes place over 15 days of intense blind tastings by panels of more than 50 respected and experienced industry professionals.

It is supported by many of the world’s leading spirits producers as the international standard for quality and excellence.

Awards Organiser Justin Smith said: “This ISC grows every year with producers entering a diverse mix of spirits from across the globe who are looking to benchmark their spirit at the very highest level.”

Head Brewer Miles Jenner said: “Harvey’s commenced trade as a spirit merchant two centuries ago but, to the best of our knowledge, we have never been involved in the production process until now. We are delighted with this result.”

Half of teachers consider quitting the profession within a decade because of the demand placed on them, according to new research.

They feel their ambition of making a difference and improving the lives of young people are being blunted by bureaucracy.

The nature rather than quantity of the workload - with its emphasis on accountability and performance - was the crucial factor in decisions to leave.

Seeking a better work/life balance was also cited as the other major reason by the 1,200 teachers polled.

The study showed 40 to 50 per cent had either left or were considering doing so ten years or less after they started teacher training.

This was despite three quarters (75 per cent) of respondents viewing the job as a long-term career.

Dedication is eroded in a short space of time

It suggests those who want to teach are committed to the profession and yet, somehow, that dedication is eroded in a very short space of time, the authors warn.

Dr Jane Perryman, of University College London’s Institute of Education, and colleagues, said: “It’s not as if they weren’t aware teaching was going to be demanding.

“However, they feel the demands of the job outstrip their capacity to adapt.

“This raises the question - what can be done to arrest this trend?”

Why become a teacher?

Graduates from the school were asked what originally motivated them to teach - and the reasons why they left the profession or may consider leaving in future.

The main reasons for wanting to teach were to ‘make a difference’ (69 per cent), to work with young people (64 per cent), and love of subject (50 per cent).

However, once they started teaching, the reality of daily life as a teacher dulled their enthusiasm, reports the British Journal of Educational Studies.

The reasons teachers quit

For those who had left, the reasons given were to improve work/life balance (75 per cent), workload (71 per cent), and target-driven culture (57 per cent).

Despite claiming to be aware of the challenges of workload before entering teaching, respondents found the reality was worse than expected.

This was because of an increasing focus on assessment, exams, progress measures and preparation for review and inspection, and away from the more individualistic and creative aspects of the job.

The researchers said: “The general response from government is teaching will be improved by reducing workload, removing unnecessary tasks and increasing pay.

“This may help, and our study does continue the discourse that workload is key.

“However, it also indicates that part of the problem lies within the culture of teaching, the constant scrutiny, the need to perform, and hyper-critical management.

“Reducing workload will not address these cultural issues.”

A shortfall of teachers

The findings come as teachers are leaving the classroom at the highest rate since records began.

Last year a BBC investigation found those quitting say the job is affecting their physical and mental health.

Figures show 36,000 working-age teachers stepped down in 2017 - with fewer being trained.

Yet pupil figures are set to rise by a fifth - 19 per cent - over the next decade.

A recent National Education Union survey also found eight-in-ten classroom teachers had seriously considered leaving the profession in the past 12 months because of the workload.

The government has failed to reach its own targets on teacher recruitment over the last five years and there is currently a shortfall of 30,000 in teacher numbers.

Only four fifths of people who qualify as teachers go into the profession and one in three quits the classroom within the first five years.

As Brexit shudders to a halt with parliament failing to back Mrs May's withdrawal agreement and failing to choose an alternative to her deal, twice, a no deal Brexit and a general election are becoming more likely by the day.

The Prime Minister has already staked her future on the passing of the withdrawal agreement, saying to backbenchers she will quit ahead of the next stage of the Brexit negotiations provided her deal passes.

This means the country is likely to see a Conservative Party leadership contest or a general election, and a new Prime Minister.

Bookies have May and June as the most likely months for a general election, with May at 11/4 and June at 5/1.

Who are the favourites?

Michael Gove, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt lead the polls for the Conservative Party hopefuls.

Mr Gove is the bookies' favourite at 4/1 and is seen by many to be a good choice to take charge of the next stage of the Brexit process. Conservative MPs would need to forget his betrayal of Boris Johnson in the 2016 leadership race when he ran against Mrs May instead of supporting the former Mayor of London.

Boris Johnson's stock is still high in the party, with many seeing him as the obvious hard Brexit choice from outside the cabinet. However, his time as Foreign Secretary and Mayor of London was prone to gaffes, and the Brexit bus still sticks in the memory of many voters.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is third favourite according the bookies, and would need a similar surge at the polls as the party had in 2017 to challenge for a majority.

As the longest-serving Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt is seen as a safe pair of hands for the top role and backs a harder Brexit than other cabinet colleagues. This stance and his reputation could edge him ahead of the likes of Sajid Javid, Amber Rudd, and Matt Hancock.

The long shots

Matt Hancock has publicly backed Mrs May's deal throughout and is considered part of the next generation of Conservative talent and could be a dark horse.

Prominent backbencher and leading hard Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has previously said he will not run for the Tory leadership. However, his popularity with the grassroots of the party could force a shift and a surprise run.

Much longer shots such as Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, former UKIP Leader Nigel Farage, and former prime minister Tony Blair are all priced around 100/1, but would need to be elected as MPs before any tilt at the top job.

This year marks 23 years since Haywards Heath parents Jane and Robert Plumb tragically lost their baby son to Group B Strep bacteria.

Group B Strep is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK, causing sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis.

Each week in the UK, one baby dies and another is left with a long-term disability as a result of the infection.

Jane and Robert’s son Theo was born at just 25 weeks on March 19, 1996. He was very unwell, but at this point the couple had never heard of the words Group B Strep.

He was rushed to the nearest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Brighton, but at just 17 and a half hours old, he tragically died.

As the couple were leaving the hospital the neonatologist took them to one side and said that she thought Theo had died from the infection. This led them to do research and they managed to track down a microbiologist who had recently given a talk about it.

The couple discovered that, while Theo’s death was probably not preventable, most Group B Strep infections in newborn babies were, and with help from the microbiologist they set up the charity Group B Strep Support.

On Tuesday, March 19, it marked 23 years since Theo’s birth, and since then charity has seen huge improvements in prevention and awareness.

But there is still a way to go, it says, with more expectant parents to tell about the infection, more heartbroken families to support, and more campaigning for change.

READ MORE: Charity ‘hugely disappointed’ in B Strep screening setback

MP supports baby charity’s national campaign

A spokesman for the charity said: “March 19, marked 23 years since Theo Plumb’s birth, and his tragic death 17 and a half hours later from a Group B Strep infection.

“Six months to the day after this, Theo’s parents, local Haywards Heath residents’, Jane Plumb MBE and Robert Plumb, set up the Group B Strep Support Charity which supports families affected by Group B Strep, educates health professionals and the public about Group B Strep, and supports research into better understanding of Group B Strep infection.”

The UK does not routinely test for Group B Strep, the charity says, a common bacterium unknowingly carried by approximately 25 per cent of pregnant women without symptoms or side-effects, unlike many developed countries, including Germany France, Spain, where all mothers-to-be are tested.

The bacteria can be passed unknowingly from a mother to her baby around birth, says the charity.

The first time many parents hear about it is when their baby is sick in hospital with meningitis, sepsis or pneumonia.

Despite its potential severity, new and expectant mothers are often not informed about it as part of routine care, which the Group B Strep Support charity says is working to change.

Most Group B Strep infections in newborn babies can be prevented by testing the mother late in pregnancy and providing intravenous antibiotics (usually penicillin) during labour to those who test positive, according to the charity. This reduces the risk of a baby developing a Group B Strep infection by up to 90 per cent, it says.

The simple, swab test would cost the NHS just £11 and costs from £35 privately, the charity added.

To find out more about the charity’s work, visit https://gbss.org.uk.

Police are hunting for thieves who stole jewellery from a house in Fairfield Court, Cowfold.

Officers say the theft happened some time between 3pm and 5pm on Wednesday (March 27).

In a separate incident, thieves stole a lawn mower from a shed at a propety in Brighton Road, Shermanbury, overnight on March 26 and 27.

In other incidents, there was an attempted break-in at a property in Myrtle Close, Billingshurst, in the early hours of March 30.

And another attempted break-in was made at a house in Siskin Close, Horsham, between 11pm and 4am yesterday (April 1).

Police say that intruders tried to break in through patio doors but failed to get inside.

Theresa May has held her position as prime minister since July 2016, but has promised her party's backbenchers that she will move on before the next stage of the Brexit negotiations, provided her deal passes through parliament. That deal has now been rejected three times, with parliament also unable to find a majority for any of the other alternatives. This could see a general election and, before that, a potential Conservative party leadership contest if the government loses a no confidence vote in the House of Commons. The list of potential replacements for Theresa May is long, with both former and current ministers in the running. Let us know what you think by taking part in our poll.