West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene in West Sussex at 1.10pm.

At at 4.37pm, a fire service spokesman confirmed the man was rescued from his aircraft with the assistance of the coastguard helicopter.

A fire service spokesman earlier confirmed he was not injured in the incident.

As the aircraft was still stuck in the trees, emergency services remained at the scene. At 6.30pm, fire crews were still present.

A man has been rescued from a fire in a high-rise block of flats in Sussex.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to the flats in Lavender Street, Brighton, at around 6.45am this morning, following reports of a fire on the fifth floor.

Seven fire engines were sent to the scene, and the fifth floor was evacuated, with other residents being advised to stay in their properties.

Eight firefighters using breathing apparatus entered the building and rescued a man from the fire, but his condition is currently unknown, the fire service spokesman said.

All people were accounted for by 7.43am, they said, and the fire was put out.

The fire spokesman said the fire was in the 'common way' of the building, and was 'of doubtful origin'.

A fire officer is currently in the building investigating the cause of the fire, which is unknown at present.

Police and paramedics were also at the scene earlier.

The Red Cross from East Preston, West Sussex, are also present to help those who are currently out of their homes.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to Chanctonbury Ring in West Sussex at 1.10pm.

The aircraft was stuck in trees, with the pilot suspended about 30ft up in the air.

The fire service assessed their options, which included the technical rescue team, who are trained in line rescue, scaling the tree and rescuing the casualty.

In the end, the coastguard helicopter, which was also at the scene, was used to rescue the pilot and airlift him to safety at 4.37pm.

A fire service spokesman earlier confirmed he was not injured in the incident.

The fire service remained at the scene to make sure the aircraft was secure.

Crawley Wasps captain Naomi Cole has vowed to make the professionals of Arsenal feel as ‘uncomfortable as possible’ ahead of Sunday’s SSE Women’s FA Cup fourth-round showdown.

Around 1,000 fans are expected to pack in to Oakwood’s Tinsley Lane ground as Wasps – top of women’s football’s fourth tier – take on the 14-times cup winners and Women’s Super League giants.

And Cole, who came through Arsenal’s youth ranks before going on to play for Chelsea, Millwall and England under-23s, says her team will not be overawed.

“We’ve got no expectations on us,” she said. “It’s an absolute bonus if we can put in a fantastic performance and push Arsenal.

“They’ll play their brand of football, it’s down to us to try and break that up.

“Bringing them to Oakwood is going to be a test for them, which will be great for us.

“We’re going to make it as uncomfortable as possible.”

Cole insists whatever side Arsenal select, they will provide a tough challenge and great entertainment for the fans.

She said: “No matter who they put out, they’ll be quality players.

“We’re going to enjoy the occasion, hopefully get a lot of people through the door and make Crawley proud.

“We want to build a foundation at this club.

“This environment is fantastic. Everyone’s like a family here and we want to bring that culture to the fans and make them feel like they’re welcome here.”

Manager Paul Walker added: “It’s the biggest day in the club’s history, it’s probably the biggest day in women’s football in Crawley.

“The most important thing to us is not making loads of money, it’s about putting on a super event.

“It’s David and Goliath. We want the locals to get behind us and be our 12th man.”

Kick-off is at 3pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and £1 for 16 and unders, and should be bought in advance online to avoid disappointment.

Visit www.crawleywasps.com and click on the tickets graphic.

Watch a Crawley Wasps FA Cup tour video on www.crawleyobserver.co.uk and click on sport.

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I suspect you could have got good odds on Crawley Town returning from Gigg Lane other than empty handed. As it was they picked up an unexpected point from the club that boasted the best home record in the division.

Bury are a club in good nick, if you’ll pardon the pun. We all know about Nicky Adams who is one of the best players ever to have worn a Crawley shirt while Nicky Maynard is one of the leading scorers in League Two. It suffices to say that they gave the Reds’ defence a torrid afternoon.

Once again the number of fouls awarded against Crawley was an indication of just how hard they had to work rather than of any excess of indiscipline. The game was not one for the purists, exactly as it had been at Swindon, but it was a case of needs must and you can’t help but admire the Reds’ fighting spirit.

No quarter was asked or given and there was great credit in the way the lads refused to be overcome. The hard working Glenn Morris was finally beaten in the 83rd minute by Maynard as he shook off his markers and found enough space at the far post to volley home.

Conceding a late goal might have been enough to blunt Crawley’s threat but at this stage of the season they are giving their all. It took them only four minutes to find the equaliser and shock the home fans into silence.

Substitute Ashley Nathaniel-George produced a very shrewd pass to find the run of Ollie Palmer. Despite the tight angle Palmer slotted through Joe Murphy’s legs to score a fine goal and bring off one of the results of the day.

I conjectured last week as to whether the Reds could move onwards and upwards after their win against Swindon Town. We know that facing top opposition usually brings out the best in them and maybe the proof of this particular pudding will become evident in the next home game.

Saturday’s visitors Oldham Athletic are brittle and are beatable as long as we play up to par. The opportunity is there for our new signings to make an immediate impact.

Midfielder Matty Willock has joined us on loan from those other Red Devils namely Manchester United. Not many in Broadfield Stadium on Saturday will know anything much about him but no player will be part of the set up at Old Trafford for several seasons without having a number of assets on his skills sheet.

The signing from Cardiff City after the window of former loanee Ibrahim Meite will have pleased a lot of fans. He showed great promise in his first spell here with his pace and skill and he should take some of the load off Palmer.

Maybe the future just got brighter.

DID YOU SEE?

Bury 1 Crawley Town 1: Reds fight back to earn valuable away draw
Crawley Town sign ex-Cardiff City striker after transfer window closes
Crawley Wasps aim to test Arsenal in historic FA Cup showdown

Speaking to the BBC, Nick Gibb - who is also minister for school standards in England - said: "Many schools have already taken the decision to ban mobile phones from the classroom.

"While this is clearly a matter for the head teacher, my own view is that schools should ban their pupils from bringing smartphones into school or the classroom."

Mr Gibb, who has been at the Department for Education for more than six years, spoke out ahead of the government publishing new guidance to schools. This was expected to cover issues regarding internet safety, social media and online gaming.

He went on to say: "Children should not be spending hours and hours on their smartphones or iPads. There are obviously huge benefits to the internet and there's nothing intrinsically damaging about spending time online.

"But if the time children spend using social media or playing computer games becomes excessive, it drives out time for them to talk to their parents, exercise, do their homework or play with friends.

"It eats into the amount of sleep and rest children have, resulting in their coming into school the next day tired and unable to concentrate."

He added: "Ensuring children can regulate their own use of smartphones and social media is becoming an increasingly important life skill for them to learn."

What do you think? Contact us on Facebook or email.

A Superdrug in Crawley was robbed by a large man wearing a balaclava, according to Sussex Police.

A police spokesman said officers received a report of a robbery occurring at a Superdrug branch in Broadfield Barton, Crawley around 12.40pm on Sunday, January 27.

A man entered the store and took items from the shelves, threatened the staff and fled the premises, police said.

Police described the suspect as of large build and wearing a grey jacket with the hood up, dark blue jeans, dark coloured trainers with yellow soles and wearing a balaclava.

The spokesman said: "If anyone witnessed the robbery, noticed any suspicious behaviour or recognises the suspect from the description, please report online or call 101 quoting 561 of 27/01."

Crawley Wasps gave a superb display as they limited the mighty Arsenal to a 4-0 victory in the Women’s FA Cup fourth round.

A packed crowd enjoyed a brilliant atmosphere as 1,500 watched the 14 times FA Cup champions take on the top local women’s and girls’ club.

A temporary stand was specially built for the game, mobile toilets and additional refreshments kiosk brought in for the tie which was sold out.

Among the VIPs watching in the stands were Crawley Town head coach Gabriele Cioffi and operations director Kelly Derham.

The Reds boss wished the Wasps players good luck before kick-off and presented the club’s under-18s team with their league trophy at half-time.

Paul Walker’s side worked hard and never looked overawed in this David v Goliath clash between teams separated by four divisions.

Arsenal earned their place in the fifth round thanks to a hat-trick by 16-year-old Ruby Grant plus a goal by Kim Little.

It was a slow opening period for both sides with Megan Stow having an early shot blocked for Wasps.

Scotland international Little gave the visitors the lead in the 17th minute, showing some good pace before finishing from inside the area.

Little had had already been denied with an earlier chance by Wasps’ ‘keeper Frankie Gibbs who gathered the ball well.

Jenny Drury blasted a shot wide for following a corner-kick as Wasps pressed at the other end.

Grant scored the second goal for Arsenal two minutes before half-time with a well-taken shot from the edge of the area.

Gibbs pulled out a cracking save to turn a shot from Danish international Katrine Veje around the post.

Grant made it 3-0 on 75 minutes, firing past Gibbs after sprinting through the area.

Wasps had their best chance of the game in the 81st minute when Sian Heather crossed to Faye Rabson whose shot was saved by the feet of ‘keeper Sari van Veenendaal before Stow’s follow-up shot flew narrowly wide of the post.

Grant completed her hat-trick by adding the fourth goal from short-range with five minutes to go.

Crawley Wasps: Gibbs, Palmer, Stephenson, James, Young, Drury (Russell 66), Stow, Heather (Davies 90), Rabson, Fleischman (Webber 60), Cole (capt)

Unused subs: Graves, Woollard, Ward, Measures

Arsenal: van Veenendaal, Dawbarn, Quinn, Arnth, McCabe (Albuquerque 62), van de Donk (Hazard 62), Little (Williamson 46), Grant, Filis, Kuyken, Veje

Unused subs: Peyraud-Magnin, Mead

Referee: Simon Finnigan

Attendance: 1,550

Man of the Match: Megan Stow

SEE MORE:

Crawley Wasps to test mighty Arsenal in historic FA Cup tie

Taste of the Terrace: Crawley Town columnist Geoff Thornton praises Reds for ‘fighting spirit’ to hold Bury

Crawley Wasps boss Paul Walker compares Arsenal tie to when Crawley Town played Manchester United

Tens of thousands of pensioner households in West Sussex could lose their free TV licence after 2020.

The BBC consultation on free licences for the over 75s is set to end on February 12.

| Also in the news – Driving test pass rates revealed for test centres across Sussex; Sussex crime figures released: How does each area compare?; and Electric cars becoming more popular with West Sussex drivers as ranges increase and prices decrease |

Official figures show there are 64,346 households in West Sussex which qualify for a free licence.

The scheme is currently funded by the Government but the responsibility shifts to the BBC in 2020.

The broadcaster says paying for it would take a fifth of its budget and the cuts needed would ‘fundamentally change the BBC’.

A TV licence currently costs £150.50 – but is set to rise to £154.50 from April – and a review commissioned by the BBC say funding the scheme across the UK would cost £745million by 2021, rising to £1billion in a decade.

The cost of a licence for every household over 75 in West Sussex is £9.7million.

Projections from the Office for National Statistics show the growth in the aging population will mean 123,948 over-75 households in West Sussex by 2041.

The potential bill for free TV licences would be £18.7million.

Options being considered include a discount for over 75s, increasing the qualifying age to 80, or restricting free licences to the most needy.

The BBC said it wanted to hear from viewers before making a decision next summer.

Chairman David Clementi said: “We will listen to their views and balance all the options and arguments before making a decision.

“The board does not underestimate the significance of the decision, its implications for the BBC and its audiences.”

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Despite recent progress, there are still significant numbers of older people living on very low incomes who would genuinely struggle to pay the licence fee if required to do so.

“There are two million people aged 75-plus, one-in-two of whom is disabled and one-in-four of whom view the television as their main form of companionship. For many others, including those who are chronically lonely, the TV is a precious window on the world.”

“Our initial appraisal is that any of the options set out would introduce significant practical difficulties and create unfairness for different groups of older people.”

A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: “We know people across the country value television as a way to stay connected with the world.

“The BBC will take on responsibility for free licences for the over-75s from 2020 and it is right that they’ve confirmed no decisions will be taken until the public have been fully consulted.

“We’ve been clear that we would want and expect them to continue with this important concession. Ultimately it is the BBC’s responsibility to ensure its substantial licence fee income is used effectively to deliver fully for UK audiences.”

The BBC’s public consultation on age-related TV licence policy ends on February 12 – click here to have your say.

• Report by Gary Rogers, data reporter

Delays have been reported on the M23 near Gatwick Airport this morning due to a broken down lorry.

Traffic reports say one lane (of three) is blocked and there is queuing traffic on the M23 northbound after J9 (Gatwick Airport).

Congestion to J10A (Crawley South/Balcombe), in the roadworks area, has also been reported.

READ MORE: Haywards Heath car accident: elderly woman taken to hospital

Superdrug in Crawley robbed by large balaclava-wearing man

Very slow traffic has been reported on the B2110 in Turners Hill this morning following an accident involving a car and motorbike.

Traffic reports say the accident happened at the B2028 North Street.

The B2110 Church Road is partially blocked eastbound, according to traffic reports.

READ MORE: Delays on M23 near Gatwick Airport due to broken down lorry

Haywards Heath car accident: elderly woman taken to hospital

Here are the number of reports of violence and sex offences recorded by Sussex Police in Crawley’s neighbourhoods

The figures from November 2018 (the most recent available) have been published on the police.uk website. See also: These are the most expensive streets in the Crawley area

Lewes FC have challenged the FA to pay equal prize money for the men’s and women’s FA Cup.

Lewes, the first and only football club in the world to pay its male and female players the same, highlighted that the total prize fund for the women’s FA Cup is £252,350 - less than one-per cent of the men’s £30.25 million. Winners of the men’s FA Cup receive £3.6 million compared to the women’s £25,000.

The Sussex based team, who are ninth in the FA Women’s Championship, are determined to address the “vast differences”.

In an open letter, club directors wrote: “If we are all really serious about rapidly driving huge positive change in the women’s game then the FA Cup prize fund provides a powerful mechanism to do so. Let’s use it.

“What a story it would be for the world’s most beloved domestic cup competition to become the Holy Grail that champions women’s football into a whole new era.

“We know that you consider the FA Cup to be a good way to redistribute wealth to the grassroots in the men’s game,” the club said.

“That same FA Cup provides an ideal mechanism for financially irrigating the women’s game. So we are suggesting a radical increase in the women’s FA Cup prize fund.

“Let’s get these prize funds to a level that we would all be able to tell our children about without embarrassment (try explaining the disparities in prize money to a child and you’ll see what we mean).

“That would at a stroke increase the level of focus and seriousness paid to the women’s game by existing clubs by an order of magnitude.”

An FA spokesperson said: “The prize fund for the 2018-19 Women’s FA Cup is the largest in the history of the competition and over £252,000 will be distributed across the competing teams.

“Whilst we recognise there is currently a significant disparity between prize money for the men’s and women’s competitions, these are determined by the amounts of money generated through commercial revenue, including national and international broadcast rights.

“The FA Cup is the biggest revenue producer for the FA and currently generates £212m per annum. This revenue enables us to invest back into football at all levels and we have made significant progress to develop the women’s game as a result.

“We have invested over £18m into the ‘Game Plan for Growth’; our ambitious strategy for the women’s game, which plans to double participation, deliver professional and semi-professional women’s football and a successful England team.

“We are also currently developing a five-year strategy with the FA Women’s Super League and Championship clubs to grow audiences and revenues, which will help make women’s football in England more commercially viable in the future and allow further re-investment.”

This week I am in the company of the musician and Artistic Director of the Shipley Arts Festival, Andrew Bernardi, as he prepares to launch the festival’s 2019 program of concerts across the Horsham district and beyond.

Andrew is one of a number of creatives at the heart of our county’s rich arts offering

I have long been a passionate advocate and supporter of building communities through arts and heritage in West Sussex, values which I share with Andrew Bernardi.

I ask Andrew what inspired him to become a musician. He said: “I come from a musical family, my mother was playing piano at a Mozart concert where my parents met.

“They had no intention of making me a professional musician, to the contrary actually.

“But I realised when I was about six that I had to be a musician, that it was my vocation.

“My Godmother gave me my first full-sized violin and I’ve still got it.

“It looked big on me but I’ve only ever played full-sized violins.”

Andrew would win a place at the Skinner’s School.

He added: “Everyone encouraged me in my music but it was suggested that there were safer careers.”

Andrew led the Kent Youth Orchestra.

He describes how winning the Lawrence Atwell scholarship for violinists to go to the United States and Brazil with the youth orchestra was life changing. He said: “I studied alongside a golden generation of musicians, we have all gone on to leading roles in the music world.

“In Brazil we stayed with top people but I became aware that the waiters came out of the Favelas and that they could have been us if we’d grown up there. “It changed us and I realised that I wanted to do something for society through my music.”

Having read music at Leeds he taught at Worth Abbey where he formed their community orchestra and his chamber ensemble.

The qualities of Benedictine Christian spirituality still resonate with him.

It was at Trinity College London, whilst working on his post-graduate scholarship, that Andrew’s entrepreneurial qualities were first recognised.

He said: “They told me I would be a successful violinist but as important was my ability to bring things together and make them work.”

This insight has been borne out by Andrew Bernardi’s career as a violinist and by starting the Shipley Arts Festival which is now acknowledged as being one of the UK’s most highly regarded Classical Music Festivals.

Andrew’s support of young, talented musicians through his String Academy gives voice to his belief in community and creating opportunity for others.

The String Academy has strong links to the Yehudi Menuhin School thanks to Andrew’s work. It is clear that Yehudi Menuhin influenced him,

Andrew added: “He conducted me and I led for him on several occasions. I admired his sense of humanity, his facilitation of communities through outstanding music making, and creating pathways and opportunities for young musicians - things that I aspire to.”

Andrew’s life as a violinist has taken him all over the world but it is his family and being rooted in the heart of Sussex with its gentle hills, countryside, towns and communities which feed and inspire him.

He walks in the footsteps of some illustrious musicians and composers here in Sussex including John Ireland, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Sir Edward Elgar. His work reflects a sense of calling and vocation to continue this musical tradition in our county. Through the festival and its patrons Andrew Bernardi, continues to commission new and exciting work from some of our nation’s leading contemporary composers including Roderick Williams., OBE, and Malcom Singer.

I ask him what his violin means to him. He reflects “With the Stradivarius violin I finally hear the sounds I imagined. It’s a very personal relationship a musician and their instrument.”

Relationships are important to the success of the Shipley Arts Festival and the array of international musicians who return year after year are responding to the aspirations, loyalty and vision of its Artistic Director, Andrew Bernardi.

The 2019 Shipley Arts Festival season will be exceptional. To find out more go to www.shipleyartsfestival.co.uk.

Rupert Toovey is a senior director of Toovey’s, the leading fine art auction house in West Sussex, based on the A24 at Washington - www.tooveys.com - and a priest in the Church of England Diocese of Chichester.

Crawley Wasps manager Paul Walker praised his side for putting in a competitive display in their 4-0 defeat against a side from four divisions above.

The local side trailed their full-time opponents by just two goals at half-time netted by Kim Little and Ruby Grant which was a reward for the hard work they put in.

He pointed to how Wasps kept their shape and made it difficult for their high ranking opponents by closing them down when they didn’t have the ball.

Walker said: “I’m immensely proud of the performance of the ladies.

“They came up against an absolutely top side in Arsenal but I’d be very surprised if anyone thought there were four levels difference between the quality those squads.

“There were times where we didn’t see a lot of the ball but for me the discipline we showed to keep the shape, close the space down and make it difficult for Arsenal in periods of the game for me was admirable.

“The first goal was given away by a mistake in our area, that happens.

“The second was a super piece of work down their left side but apart than that the discipline of the squad was commendable.”

READ MORE:

Lewes call for equal prize moeny between men and women in FA Cup
Match report; Crawley Wasps 0 Arsenal Women 4
Crawley Wasps aim to test Arsenal in FA Cup showdown
Crawley Town columnist Geoff Thornton priases Reds for hard work to clinch draw at Bury

Patients of GP surgeries were asked a series of questions on behalf of the NHS in March 2018 about how they rated the surgery where they were registered.

Among the GP Patient Survey question categories was of how ‘patients felt that their overall experience was’ and ‘experience of making an appointment’. These are how the Crawley surgeries fared, according to the NHS website. All photos of surgeries courtesy Google Street Maps. See also: These are the most expensive streets in the Crawley area

The Town supporters can be rightfully proud of their team, they put up a terrific away display that deserved the point they eventually won.

Over the full 90 minutes Crawley worked extremely hard closing the opposition down and seemed to adapt better to the conditions with one half of the pitch in shade and solid under foot, whereas the other was in bright sunshine, easier and softer.

At this point, those that travelled to the game should thank the Bury supporters who volunteered to clear the pitch of snow enabling the game to proceed having passed the referee’s inspection.

From our point of view, we didn’t want to travel up again on a Tuesday evening had the match been called off.

Town lined-up with one change from the Swindon game, Josh Payne back from suspension replacing Dannie Bulman, but the pair swapped places on 66 minutes.

As the game kicked-off, on the shaded side you could see that the players were having problems keeping their feet, but it was the assistant referee Helen Byrne – who took an early tumble and you could see she wasn’t as mobile after the fall and on the half hour was replaced by the fourth official.

We were concerned that the game could be called off at half-time as it was getting colder.

Credit to the players who kept going ignoring the conditions.

Both teams created chances, but failed to capitalise on them – both 'keepers doing their best to keep any attempts at bay.

The game came to life really in the last 10 minutes, when Nicky Maynard stabbed the ball home from short-range on 84 minutes giving the quiet home fans something to cheer about, sensing that the three points were now in the bag.

Crawley immediately brought on Ashley Nathaniel-George to replace Filipe Morais and within three minutes of his introduction were on level terms with Ollie Palmer firing home from a very tight angle under 'keeper Murphy after a some good work by the substitute.

The travelling away fans were ecstatic and all Crawley had to do was see-out the final minutes and four minutes added-time.

The home support all of a sudden started to leave the ground not wanting to see the final moments of the game.

Another away point, which many supporters said that was what they would have taken before the game had started.

This was a great unexpected result for the Red Devils who had taken a point from one of the in-form teams in the league and favourite for one of the three promotion places.

So that’s four points taken off Bury this season, last week it was also four points taken off Swindon, which has now certainly eased the prospect of relegation.

On the return journey we were discussing the defence set-up and had to agree that the back-five as it was for both Swindon and Bury are playing extremely well.

The more time they spend playing together the better they will become, it’s taken Gabriele Cioffe some time to sort it but with Tom Dallison and David Sesay coming into the side it has certainly improved the defending.

That’s two difficult away matches completed, now we have a home match against Oldham Athletic next Saturday.

The transfer window has now closed – players have gone with Mark Connolly joining Dundee United and Romain Vincelot to Shrewsbury.

To replace them, Crawley have signed midfielder Matty Willock who is on loan and striker and former loanee Ibrahim Meite on an 18-month contract.

Both signings are from Premier League clubs. Let’s hope that both these players can emulate last season's loanee Karlen Ahearn-Grant, who is now playing in the Premier League for Huddersfield Town having had an offer accepted by Charlton for their leading goalscorer.

Next away game

On Saturday, February 16 we travel to Northampton Town for another league game with a 3pm kick-off.

We depart from the People's Pension Stadium at 10am and have organised a buffet at the Sun Inn, Wingfield another new venue for us – we should arrive there for about midday, if the traffic on the M25 and M1 are running Ok then slightly earlier.

Cost for this trip is £20.00. Again we are taking bookings now for this trip so please contact us on 07771-792346.

DID YOU SEE?

Crawley Wasps boss so proud after great FA Cup display against Arsenal
Lewes FC call for equal pay between men and women for FA Cup ties
FA Cup 4th round: Crawley Wasps make life tough for 14 times champions Arsenal

A 14-year-old girl received hospital treatment after an assault 'involving a number of youths' in Chichester on Saturday night, according to Sussex Police.

Police said officers have engaged with the victim’s mother after the incident, which happened in Little London Walk at about 7.40pm.

A spokesman said: "Police received reports of an assault involving a number of youths.

"The victim, a 14-year-old local girl, was safely removed from the scene shortly afterwards and the crowd dispersed.

"Officers engaged with the victim’s mother and were advised she had been to hospital for treatment."

Police said enquiries are ongoing and anyone who saw what happened is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 847 of 02/02.

See also: Witnesses sought following serious accident near Chichester which saw road closed for five hours

Did you see stolen tractor being driven on A27?

Chichester Railway Station changes a 'recipe for disaster' warns taxi driver

Around three-quarters of the medicines and more than half of devices and one-use medical products (such as syringes) that the NHS uses come into the UK via the EU.

The government has given instructions to pharmaceutical companies to ensure that they have adequate stocks in order to reduce the risk of disruption if there are delays at the border as expected.

The additional six-week supply will be on top of normal stocks and should ensure that the supply of medicines and other medical supplies will be uninterrupted.

If there are any temporary shortages of particular medicines, doctors will prescribe the best alternative to patients' usual medication to treat their condition.

The Department of Health and Social Care in England is working with counterparts in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to deliver the uninterrupted supplies people expect.

On a longer term basis, the government has said that medicines already approved by the EU will still be supplied in the UK as normal, but the UK won’t be able to take part in approving medicines for the EU market after March 29.

Read more: How will Brexit have an impact on data roaming?

This is because, under European Medicines Agency rules, all medicines have to be approved by an EU member state to be sold in the EU. The UK will no longer be a member state so it will lose that right.

Any British firm manufacturing pharmaceuticals will have to get authorisation in the rest of the EU to continue to sell its products there.

Do you have a question about how Brexit will affect you? Email gemma.jimmison@jpimedia.co.uk.

Sussex-based shipwreck hunter David Mearns has been involved in the the search to find missing Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala,  whose plane disappeared while flying over the English Channel.

Renowned marine scientist David Mearnes, who lives in Midhurst, has been involved in the hunt for the light aircraft which was carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson as it went from Nantes in France on January 21, to Cardiff, where Sala was due to start playing for his new club in the Premier League.


Since speaking to David, the BBC has reported that the plane has been located and a body can be seen in the wreckage, although it has not yet been identified.

Director of Blue Water Recoveries on Rumbolds Hill, David has located more than 20 major wrecks over nearly 30 years and been involved in many high profile underwater investigations. 



After asking for permission to descend, the pilot lost contact with Jersey air traffic control over the English Channel. 


He said a survey vessel would be mobilised over the weekend to carry out an underwater search of the area the plane was last in radio contact. But he stressed the team will be focusing on search and identification rather than recovering the plane


“It is not a recovery attempt,” he told reporters. “Once we find it the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the police will get involved again.”



David said that the last radio contact from the plane had given search teams ‘a very good area’ to target.



“Worst case, we are looking at 25 square nautical miles. The biggest complication is the weather. For example, this week we wouldn’t have been able to search at all.” 



He told reporters that ‘at worst’ the plane could be at a depth of 120 metres. 



His crews at Blue Water Recoveries have found planes at depths of nearly 5,000 metres.



He added: “We believe we have the best equipment available to work in this area. We have extra crew on board to make sure we can operate safely.”



Among David’s well documented operations are finding the remains of the first British ship to be sunk in the second world war on the Atlantic seabed without leaving dry land.