Cyber hackers are secretly trading details of more than 250,000 Sussex residents online in a bid to defraud them, undercover investigators have found.

See below for a special report from the Johnston Press Investigations Unit.

Tom Burton and Mitchell Hand have agreed on returns to Shoreham Football Club ahead of the new season.

Burton, who finished the campaign with Mussels, has decided to resign with Sammy Donnelly’s side.

Hand started last season with Shoreham, before making the move to Southern Combination League Premier Division Littlehampton.

After signing for SCFL Division 2 outfit Ferring earlier in the summer, Hand has now decided to dual-sign with Mussels.

Shoreham boss Donnelly is delighted to have another two additions on board ahead of his side’s first-ever assault in the Bostik League South.

He said: “Tom finished the season here and he has decided to comeback for this season.

“He brings something different and offers goals aswell. To have him, Evan (Archibald) and Mitz (Nayee) as options in the forward areas will provide good competition next season.

“I got a call out of the blue from Mitchell (Hand), He’d signed for Ferring but has decided to dual-sign with us aswell. I’m pleased to have the pair on board and signed.”

Shoreham kept their preparations for the new season going with back-to-back wins in the space of three days.

Mussels sealed a 4-1 win over division-lower Eastbourne United on Saturday, then won 3-0 at Worthing United on Tuesday.

Despite the two wins, Mussels boss Donnelly is not fazed by results.

He added: “I’ll keep saying it but results don’t bother me at this stage.

“I’ve seen improvements in recent games and that is all I want at this time of the season. We’re building for that first game.”

Shoreham take on Brighton & Hove Albion under-23’s in the Sussex Community Shield final at Culver Road on Tuesday (7.15pm).

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Crawley can ‘no longer continue to be the county council’s whipping boy’, according to Labour.

Earlier this year Crawley Borough Council (CBC) ended funding for ‘residential environmental improvement schemes’, which created extra parking in areas where there were acute shortage of spaces.

Instead the £1.3m was diverted to be spent on a district heating network, which will be built as part of the redevelopment of Crawley Town Hall.

However, the Labour-led council has since received £1.4m from the Government towards the district heating network.

Tory councillors have argued the money for parking improvements should be reinstated and submitted a notice of motion to that effect last Wednesday (July 19).

However, a Labour group amendment to the motion called for CBC to approach West Sussex County Council as the highways authority to provide funding to reinstate the residential parking improvement budget for 2017/18 instead.

Councillor Duncan Crown (Con, Furnace Green), leader of the Conservative opposition group, suggested the money would allow them to address the most serious parking problems, while Councillor Kim Jaggard (Con, Maidenbower) felt the original decision to axe the improvement scheme was taken with ‘total disregard for Crawley’s parking problems’.

But Councillor Peter Lamb (Lab, Northgate), leader of CBC, pointed out that the county council was the highways authority, adding: “We have tried to do our best, but we are not longer in a position to be West Sussex County Council’s whipping boy.”

He added: “We are not in a position where we can continue to bail out the county council.”

Councillor Geraint Thomas (Lab, Northgate), cabinet member for environmental services and sustainability, said: “We have done our best in increasingly straitened financial times and are managing to keep our heads above water but it’s becoming increasingly difficult.”

Councillor Peter Smith (Lab, Ifield), cabinet member for planning and economic development, raised the fact a county council road space audit for Crawley is due to start soon, which will look at the town’s overall parking needs.

He said: “We need to take an overall systematic look at the problem rather than making cheap points.”

But Councillor Francis Guidera (Con, Tilgate) said: “It’s making people’s lives a misery and we need to do something about it.”

The amended motion was approved.

Afterwards Cllr Crow said: “Labour’s policy is to do nothing except blame West Sussex County Council, arguing that only a highway authority should pay for creating extra parking spaces, while failing to recognise the role that Crawley Borough Council continues to have as the local planning authority in allowing housing without enough parking.

“We also need to recognise that Crawley Borough Council has a vast amount of financial reserves from council house sales which the County Council simply doesn’t have.”

Looks like Coutinho will not be leaving Anfield.

Today's tranfer news.

Bognor Regis girl Liesl-Lottie Pilgrim has been named as one of 11 winners of a national design competition.

The Nyewood CE Junior School pupil was among more than 100,000 children to enter the Walk the Americas badge competition, organised by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking.

The aim was to promote WOW, a year-round challenge which sees pupils who walk to school at least once a week rewarded with collectable badges.

Liesl-Lottie won an exclusive WOW goody bag, a trophy displaying her winning design, a certificate and a plaque to be displayed in her school.

Liesl-Lottie said: “When I found that mine was one of the winning designs, I felt so happy. The best thing about it was that it was a total surprise.

“Mr Williams, our head teacher, suddenly put my design on the board in assembly and I realised I had won. My design was based in Peru with Mach Picchu in the background. I set it in Peru as that’s where my parents found out they were expecting me.”

Her school will receive free WOW resources for the next academic year to allow pupils to continue taking part and encourage pupils to walk to school.

Jon Williams, head teacher, said: “I am extremely proud of Liesl-Lottie for her achievement by being a winner in a national competition is a great accolade.

“Promoting walking to school is so important, not only for the health benefits but also in reducing the number of cars at the school gates at drop off and pick up times.

“I hope that Liesl-Lottie’s efforts will encourage even more children to walk to school in the future.”

Liesl-Lottie’s design and those of ten other pupils from across England, Scotland and Wales will be made into WOW badges for children to collect during the next academic year, one for each month of the school calendar.

The charity says walking to school is an easy and free way for children to get active and stay healthy. It also means fewer cars, fewer traffic jams, less pollution and less trouble around the school gates.

Teachers confirm that pupils who walk to school are more alert, ready to learn and achieve better grades than those who are driven.

In primary schools, the introduction of WOW sees walking rates increase on average by 23 per cent and a corresponding drop in car use.

Joe Irvin, chief executive at Living Streets, said: “This year, we had more than 1,000 finalists from over 340 UK schools. The design theme was Walk the Americas we received some fantastic drawings ranging from flags and famous people from each of the countries to indigenous animals and traditional delicacies.

“It was difficult to narrow them down to 11 as the standard was extremely high, so the winners should be very proud.

“We look forward to having Nyewood CofE Junior School take part in WOW next year and hearing how the walk to school helps their pupils’ health and happiness.”

Bob Paine has bolstered his East Preston Football Club squad this summer ahead of their return to the Southern Combination League Premier Division.

EP were promoted from SCFL Division 1 last term and Paine has moved to add depth to his squad.

Matt Searle, Ryan Quirke, Jake Heryet and Nathan Da Costa have all decided to join Paine at The Lashmar.

Quirke is a player EP boss Paine knows well, having managed him for Worthing’s under-21 team. The talented midfielder also made a handful of appearances for Worthing’s first team, before he took a year away from the game last season.

Central midfielder Searle has joined from SCFL Division 1 outfit Storrington, while Heryet comes from Worthing’s under-18 team

EP manager Paine believes those additions will add to the squad he already has and said: “We’ve been very selective over the summer with what players we were after. The guys that came in had to improve on what was an already very good squad.

“I’m happy with the great additions we’ve managed to add to the squad.

“Ryan is a player I know well from my Worthing under-21 days. He can score or create a goal from nothing and is a great addition.

“Matt is a combative midfielder who will offer some much-needed physical strength.

“Jake is an lively 18-year-old winger who will offer us something as well. He was involved with Worthing’s first team last season and will be another good addition.

“Nathan (Da Costa) is an experienced defender who I’ve been talking to all summer.

“He will add much-needed experience to what is a young squad, particularly on the pitch. Nathan has been with Arundel for a number of seasons but I’m delighted to have signed him.”

All of last season’s squad have remained at the club, which Paine believes is hugely important, especially as two players had offers to join other teams.

Keeping everyone on board has been a huge boost for Paine, who added: “I think everyone staying is testament as to how much they enjoyed last season both on and off the pitch.

“Other clubs with bigger budgets tried to tempt a couple of my squad away but I’m pleased they’ve decided to stay.”

East Preston have played five matches this pre-season, recording wins over Shoreham, Wick, Southall United and AFC Varndeanians.

Paine had his players back early in preparation for the new season and feels they are now reaping the rewards.

He said: “We started pre-season a lot earlier than a lot of clubs and I think it has shown in our fitness levels throughout pre-season.

“Managers tend to say results don’t matter in friendly games but I don’t buy that. Winning is a habit, which breeds confidence and that is what I want here.”

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A charity concert is being planned by young people on the National Citizens Service programme.

Members of Wave 1 Team 4 from West Sussex NCS, small team aged 15 to 17, have been working together to plan the concert to raise money for Enable Me.

Ethan Keirle explained they were on phase three of the programme and had been tasked with creating a project that provides support to the community.

He said: “We all live in Littlehampton and shared a passion for music. This gave us the idea to host a benefit gig for charity, with Enable Me being our choice as it’s a local charity within the heart of our community.

“We’ve been extremely ambitious with our idea and we’ve made a massive headway with the benefit gig, entitled Enable The Music.

“We’ve gone through a lot of stress and hard work over the past few days to make this dream of ours a reality and we wanted to share the results with as many people as possible.”

The gig will be held on Friday in the Wickbourne Centre, Clun Road, Littlehampton, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

It will be hosted by the team leaders and feature Joe Butt, Teal and The A Band.

Ethan added: “We will have local acts playing throughout the night, with people of all ages being able to show off their talent.

“We will have entertainment such as tombolas and will provide food.

“It will cost £5 to enter and all proceeds will go straight to the charity. We’ve all been fortunate enough to be given the Wickbourne Centre at a cheap price and to have been donated foods by local supermarkets.”

The venue can hold 160 people and there are already around 100 people who are interested in going.

Rather than tickets, people will be given a stamp on the hand and entrance will be on a first come, first served basis.

A nursery that was opened to help teachers, but soon started serving the wider community, has celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Stepping Stones Nursery, on The Regis School campus in Bognor Regis, invited children and staff, past and present, to a big party to celebrate on Thursday.

Guests included Bognor mayor Phil Woodall, Bersted Parish Council chairman Brian Knight, original staff and those who had been children at the nursery when it first opened in 1992.

Two friendship benches, one for each garden, were donated to the nursery by Arena Sports Centre, with an anniversary message carved by Paul Bicknell, and each child was given a piggy bank with a penny inside to start them off.

Ken Pritchard, former chairman of the management group, said the nursery started with 27 children in a refurbished mobile classroom. Now, there are more than 200 children on the books.

He explained: “It was actually part of a project whereby the nursery was set up at a school campus so that teachers would carry on teaching.

“It went immediately way, way beyond that. It now helps to look after and serve Bognor Regis and the wider area and it does a brilliant job.

“What has always struck me is the quality of the work that is going on with the children.”

He said the nursery had been graded outstanding by Ofsted at every inspection.

“That is not easy to maintain over that period of time,” he added.

“I have personally seen that this talented staff loves the children so much and the love being with the children. The children do enjoy themselves so much and I do thank that is very important.

“As it has grown, you would expect it to become more formal and organised. That has not happened. The very loving, close family feel of the nursery has remained constant.”

John Morrison, new chairman of the management group, presented a book filled with memories to manager Lorraine Mellers and a second for the nursery.

Lorraine, who has been the manager since the nursery started, said: “There have been many changes over the years, except me. I remain passionate about the job and committed to all the children.”

The children were entertained by magician Silly Scott, music was provided by The Salvation Army Band and catering provider Zebedee handed out refreshments.

The perfect job is a four-day, 24 hour week with a salary of £61,000-a-year, free fruit and a boss who likes a pint, it has emerged.

Regular reviews and pay rises, being allowed to work in jeans, flexible working hours and a pension are other key requirements for the ideal role.

The report also revealed the dream job would be a 12 minute walk from home, provide a pleasant view from the office window and offer 32 days holiday-a-year.

Benefits such as discounts at local gyms or sports clubs were also a must in the survey of 2,000 adults in employment.

A good work-life balance is THE most important factor for the perfect job, and half of those polled wish for a boss who understands that family comes first.

Having the option to work from home is crucial for many workers, who need the flexibility to be able to look after sick children, or move hours around to suit school events.

Mark Rhodes, Marketing Director for reed.co.uk, said: “Work-life balance means something different to each of us.

“For some it may be combining hard work and dedication to the job with the pursuit of personal interests and hobbies outside of work, whilst for others it might be the fulfilment of childcare and family responsibilities.

“For dual-income couples who both work full-time, it is little surprise that flexibility and an understanding employer rank so highly.

“But our research shows that work-life balance is also an important factor for millennials.

“They’ve grown up with technology that gives them access to information and allows them to be productive anywhere, and it’s shaped their view of work. “

For those who are happy to travel to work, a designated parking space and the ability to leave work on time everyday are a must.

In addition, the perfect job would provide free tea and coffee all day, as well as fresh fruit and a fully equipped kitchen.

Other perks would be a quiet workspace to allow maximum concentration, access to a fantastic stationery cupboard, as well as a company car which is replaced every three years.

Workers are also agreed their ideal career would allow them to have two computer screens on the desk, be the boss of their own workload and have a real opinion that counts in the office.

The average respondent would also ideally manage four members of staff, and work in a team of seven.

Six in 10 people would like to work in a job where they had the option to travel, and the average worker is happy to go on three business lunch a month.

Unfortunately, researchers at OnePoll.com found only 21 per cent of those polled are already working in their perfect job - and 54 per cent believe there is no such thing.

The average person is happy in their work for just 57 per cent of the time, and 58 per cent claim things would be greatly improved if their employer was willing to make a few easy changes.

Four in 10 people simply want recognition of how hard they work, while the same percent would like shorter hours and flexible working hours.

A third of those polled say their existing job would be much better if they had more support in their role, while 13 per cent would be happier with a more varied work load.

Less pressure to get so much done, team building sessions and more perks would also contribute to people feeling more satisfied in their current role.

And for those 19 per cent of people in employment who are on the hunt for the perfect job, 49 per cent are looking for a company with good ethics, while 31 per cent want to work somewhere which provides good customer service.

Mark Rhodes, for reed.co.uk, added: “The research indicates that most of us have fairly modest expectations when it comes to finding our perfect role.

“For most people a dream job needn’t mean being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds for working just a few hours a week.

“Whilst it might not be realistic to offer full-time staff a four day week and a private office with a view, there are lots of things employers can offer to help keep their teams happy, engaged and productive.

“Reviewing the dress code and offering simple perks, like free tea and coffee and daily fruit, don’t cost the earth, but they do help staff feel valued and can make a business a more attractive proposition for prospective employees.”

TOP 30 DESIRABLE PERKS OF THE PERFECT JOB

1. A good work-life balance

2. Excellent pension

3. Flexible working hours

4. A boss who understands family comes first

5. Being able to work from home if you need to

6. Bonus scheme

7. Private healthcare for you and the family

8. You’re able to leave work on time everyday

9. Free tea and coffee

10. Your own office

11. A nice view from the window

12. A designated parking space

13. A quiet workspace, so you can concentrate

14. The ability to have an opinion / say

15. A boss who is a family man / woman themselves

16. A chair which is measured to you, so that you are always comfortable

17. Being allowed to work in jeans

18. You can be your own boss

19. Gym membership

20. Free fruit provision

21. A company car

22. Fully equipped kitchen

23. Being treated to lunch at posh venues regularly

24. You are treated to the latest gadgets such as phones, laptops

25. A boss that enjoys a pint

26. Discounts to local leisure facilities

27. Access to a fantastic stationery cupboard

28. Two computer screens on the desk

29. Regular reviews / appraisals

30. Shower facilities

Gary Elphick is hopeful of securing the services of goalkeeper Lucas Covolan ahead of Worthing Football Club’s Bostik League Premier Division campaign.

The former Brazilian under-20 international, who was with Whitehawk last term, has been training with the club and featured in Worthing’s past two friendlies against Eastbourne Borough and Lewes respectively.

His displays in both matches have impressed Elphick and he is now set to be offered a deal.

The battle between right-backs Rodrigo Mann and Ollie Bolding to earn a deal at Woodside Road is also hotting up. Bolding and Mann played 45 minutes each in Worthing’s impressive 3-1 friendly win at division-higher Eastbourne Borough last Friday, while Mann started last night's home pre-season draw with Lewes.

Ebbsfleet United full-back Bolding was unavailable for the Lewes stalemate but is set to be back for Saturday’s friendly with division-lower Horsham at Woodside Road.

The trio have continued to impress Elphick and he admits a tough decision awaits regarding both Mann and Bolding.

He said: “Lucas has done really well in our past two friendlies and I’m looking to offer him a deal. I’ve still yet to sit down with him at this stage but I’m looking to secure his services for the new season.

“Ollie (Bolding) and Rodrigo (Mann) have done well also but it’s going to come down to just one of the two.

“We’ve got three friendlies left and I’ll continue to have a look at those.”

Summer signing Omar Folkes got off the mark for Worthing in their 1-1 draw with Lewes at Woodside Road last night.

Fellow striker Lloyd Dawes netted twice in the win at Eastbourne Borough and Elphick is pleased to see his forwards firing at this stage of the build-up.

He added: “We struggled for goals towards the back end of last season. I’ve tried to address that over the summer by adding in that area but the signs are good so far.”

After Horsham come to Woodside Road on Saturday, former forward Omar Bugiel returns to his old club with League 2 Forest Green Rovers for a friendly on Tuesday (7.45pm.).

Elphick sees this is as a perfect chance for the fans to thank Bugiel for his efforts at Worthing and said: “It’ll be great to have Omar (Bugiel) coming back down.

“I’ve heard a few different things with regards to what team they will bring down but it’ll be nice to see Omar back here.”

With just one friendly remaining after the next two, Elphick now wants some of his questions to be answered in ahead of the season opener at Metropolitan Police on August 12.

He added: “It’s been a bit up and down in terms of performances. In these remaining matches I need some questions answered ahead of the new season.”

Midfielder Louis Clark has left the club due to increased work commitments. Clark has joined Southern Combination League Division 1 outfit Steyning Town.

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Brighton's new alternative shirt has been launched by rock duo Royal Blood in Australia.

Albion fan Ben Thatcher, from Royal Blood, wore the new shirt on stage at the Metro Theatre, Sydney, as part of the band's world tour.

The new University gold alternative shirt contains a black Nike swoosh and is supported by University gold shorts and black socks.

The kit will be worn for the first time when Albion host Atletico Madrid on August 6.

Fans can order the shirt on www.seagullsdirect.co.uk now and it will be in the club store, with the new home shirt, from tomorrow.

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Police have issued a warning after two Horsham pensioners were conned out of £7,500 by scam callers this week.

Officers said two calls were received by elderly women on July 18 and 19 from someone claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police.

One of the women was told her card had been used fraudulently in Birmingham and she needed to withdraw £5,000. She did and handed it over to a courier sent to her home.

Police said the other woman was told she needed to withdraw £2,500 and also handed it over to a courier.

PC Jon Walker said: “The police would never contact people and ask them to withdraw or hand over cash to officers. The people carrying out these frauds are deliberately targeting those they think are vulnerable, so please do look out for your friends, family and anyone you feel may be at risk by passing on this message, to help prevent further people falling victim to this type of fraud.

“If ever you doubt a telephone caller is genuine, simply hang up the phone.”

For more advice visit www.sussex.police.uk/advice/protect-yourself-and-others/fraud/

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Striker Dom Dwyer has been traded by Sporting Kansas City to Orlando City in a deal that could reach $1.6m (£1.2m).

The 26-year-old became a US Citizen in March and scored 19 minutes into his International debut for the USA on July 1.

Dwyer was released by Norwich City as a schoolboy and played non-league football for Staines Town and King's Lynn before moving to the United States in 2009.

He was traded for $400,000 (£306,000) in general allocation money, $500,000 (£383,000) in targeted allocation money, and $700,000 (£536,000) in future allocation money based on performance. Major League Soccer operates under a structure in which player contracts are owned by the league.

The Orlando City SC official website said: "Not only does Dwyer bring elite goal scoring ability to the squad, he brings competition to the forward position. Competition fuels performance."

He joins former AC Milan and Brazilian legend Kaka and former Manchester United and Birmingham star Jonathan Spector at Orlando.

Crawley Town head coach Harry Kewell has a ‘clear idea’ on who he is going to hand the armband for the new season.

Since his appointment back in May, the former Liverpool and Leeds winger is still to appoint his captain for Reds’ League 2 assault.

Jimmy Smith, who is currently sidelined through injury, was skipper last season and will have hopes of leading Crawley once again.

Summer arrival Dannie Bulman also captained Crawley in one of two previous stints at the Checkatrade Stadium. In Reds’ latest pre-season friendly, a 6-0 home drubbing by Premier League new boys Brighton & Hove Albion, experienced goalkeeper Glenn Morris was handed the armband.

Several players have been employed as captain in Crawley’s four friendlies to date this campaign and head coach Kewell is now getting a clear idea who he wants in that role ahead of their League 2 opener against Port Vale a week on Saturday.

He said: “I’ve got my ideas as to who I want to captain the team ahead of the new season.

“We all hope and want Jimmy (Smith) to be back sooner, rather than later, everything is going well with him, but you never know.

“It’s still a case of waiting and seeing at this minute.”

Last season’s skipper Smith was still missing from the squad in Saturday’s defeat to Brighton.

After featuring in the first friendly this summer at East Grinstead Town, Smith has missed the rest of Reds’ pre-season programme.

The midfield man is continuing his recovery and Kewell is hoping he could possibly feature in one of the remaining two friendlies.

Kewell added: “Jimmy is working well and working very hard at this minute. He’s in every day and we’ll continue to keep pushing him, so hopefully he’ll be back for one of the two games this week.”

Reds’ penultimate pre-season friendly comes at National League South new boys Bognor Regis this evening (7.45pm). With Kewell hoping to see further progress. He said: “We’ll just keep going as we are. building for that first game against Port Vale.”

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Around 40 caravans are currently situated in Oaklands Park after moving in this week.

Travellers were reported arriving at Northgate Car Park next to Chichester Festival Theatre at 4pm on Monday, July 24, with 11 caravans reported at the site, Sussex Police said.

A police spokesman said: “Police and Chichester District Council assessed the site and the matter has been left to the land owners, Chichester District Council.”

A second group of travellers were reported arriving at Oaklands Park on Tuesday, July 25, with 30 caravans reported at the site, police said.

“Police have visited this site and have liaised with the local authority’s traveller liaison team and an assessment visit took place on Wednesday, July 26.

A spokesman for Chichester District Council added: “We are aware that a number of caravans have moved onto Oakland Fields and we have referred this to West Sussex County Council, who manage such incidents on our behalf.

“They are currently liaising with the police and are trying to resolve this matter.”

A £1.25m transit site for travellers opened in Westhampnett in March 2015, managed by West Sussex County Council.

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Horsham skipper Michael Thornely believes his side are still in the title race.

Horsham currently lie fourth in the Premier Division but are 53 points behind top-of-the-table Roffey.

But with six games left and four of them being win/lose games, Thornely is confident they are still in the mix.

He said: “There’s still a lot of cricket until the end of the season and with the last four games being win/lose 50 over games, if we’re still in touch going into those games you never know what can happen.”

Horsham and Thornely had a frustrating weekend with their league game against Hastings being postponed without a ball being bowled and their T20 cup semi-final against Roffey abandoned after 12 overs.

The only Premier Division match to be completed was at Bexhill where Brighton triumphed.

Horsham make the long trip to Middleton on Saturday.

In the reverse win/lose fixture in May, these sides played out a thriller with Horsham getting home in the 49th over, winning by seven wickets.

Sussex man Will Beer hit a brilliant unbeaten 142 in that game with Nick Oxley hitting 78 in a match-winning partnership of 226.

Thornely said: “They are a good side with a few key wickets in their batting line up. We’ll have to play well to get a result there.

“We’ve had a few injuries recently which hasn’t helped selection but we have a well balanced side with key match winners that can change the game if they get on a roll.”

A worried mother is calling for better awareness after she had to repeatedly tell hospital staff something serious was wrong with her baby, Brooke.

Alana Spendlove, 36, said she and her partner Andrew had not yet taken their three-day-old daughter home from Worthing Hospital when she started screaming and having seizures: “It looked almost like she was not with us.”

Salvington childminder Alana said she called staff to check Brooke five times before they saw something was wrong and rushed her to intensive care.

She said: “I felt like I was being an obsessive mum. They said she seems fine. It happened again and I was in tears – I said something’s not right.”

Alana said it was after the fifth time she got staff to check on Brooke that things changed and she was taken to intensive care with dangerously low blood sugar.

“It was shocking, you do not expect to have a baby and then for all that to happen.”

She was sent to St Richard’s and Southampton General hospitals, where she also battled meningitis, but is now at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

There, doctors diagnosed Brooke with hyperinsulinism, a one-in-40,000 condition where her pancreas releases too much insulin, lowering her blood sugar dramatically.

Brooke, now three months old, will stay there until she is stable enough to go home.

Alana added: “If we hadn’t made a fuss, our daughter may not be with us today.

“Parents need to know to get your child’s blood tested.”

Denise Matthams, Head of Nursing for Women and Children service at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “While we cannot comment on the specific case, we do recognise that this has been a difficult time for the family and our thoughts are with Alana and her baby Brooke.

“We have clear policies for managing low blood sugars in infants, which is a common problem that staff regularly manage.

“However, hyperinsulinism is a rare condition, but one of the many potential causes we consider when low blood sugars persist and do not respond to treatment.

“In more challenging cases we work closely with our colleagues in tertiary centres, who provide more specific and specialist advice, in line with the networked approach to neonatal care in the UK.”

Five people, including two children, have been rushed to hospital following a crash involving a car and a van this afternoon (July 26).

The ambulance service said four were taken to the major trauma centre at St George’s Hospital with serious injuries whilst another was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Emergency services were called to the collision in Sloughgreen Lane, Warninglid, at about 1.35pm.

The fire service said two people were trapped in the vehicles and were freed by firefighters.

Two others managed to free themselves before crews arrived.

Four ambulances along with two paramedic cars and critical care paramedics attended the scene.

Two Air Ambulance helicopters were also called.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said two adults and two children were taken by road and by air to St George’s Hospital.

The spokesman added it is believed one of the children’s injuries are less serious than the other three.

Another person has been taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Police have closed the road between the junctions of Cuckfield Road and Broxmead Lane.

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Five people, including two children, were injured after a van and a car crashed this afternoon (July 26), the ambulance service has said.

Emergency services were called to the collision in Sloughgreen Lane, Warninglid, at about 1.35pm.

Four ambulances along with two paramedic cars and critical care paramedics attended the scene.

Two Air Ambulance helicopters were also called.

The ambulance service said four people were taken to the major trauma centre at St George’s Hospital with serious injuries whilst another person was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Related stories: UPDATE: Five rushed to hospital after van and car crash

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

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A drug gang responsible for distributing cocaine, cannabis and MDMA across the south east have been jailed.

Police said five people were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday for a total of 27-and-a-half-years following a long-term investigation by officers.

Scott Anthony Linegar, 39, of Lower Green Gardens, Worcester Park was jailed for 15 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, cocaine and MDMA, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, cannabis, and converting criminal property, between January 1 2015 and April 21, 2017.

Alan Oldfield, 69, of Spreighton Road, West Molesey was jailed for seven years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, cocaine and MDMA, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, cannabis, and converting criminal property, between January 1 2015 and April 21, 2017.

Brett Anthony Hilton, 43, of Windermere Road, Lightwater, was jailed for five-and-a-half-years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, cocaine and possessing criminal property.

Mark Foster, 54, of Plough Road, Smallfield was arrested at Gatwick Airport and was sentenced to eight months suspended for 18 months and was given a four month curfew order for conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, cannabis and possessing criminal property.

Darren Mitten, 39, of Bailiff Street, Northampton, was sentenced to four months suspended for 12 months and was given a thee month curfew order for possessing criminal property, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, cannabis.

Police said at least £500k worth of drugs passed through the gang in the two-year conspiracy period and around 1kg of cocaine, 5kg of cannabis and 500 MDMA (ecstacy) pills were seized in the investigation.

Two stun guns used to threaten and intimidate people were also recovered, including one disguised as a mobile phone.

Head of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit Detective Inspector Gareth Hicks said: “Scott Linegar was the head of this group who have been responsible for dealing drugs on a wholesale level across north Surrey and the south east.

“Dismantling this group is a huge result for us and the public of Surrey as they were at the top of the pyramid as far as distributing through their networks was concerned. Taking them out of the market dries up a supply chain through at least three of four levels before it would have got onto the streets, where ultimately the greatest harm occurs.

“Linegar is the man who orchestrated the whole organisation, and through possession of a stun gun disguised as a mobile phone, to intimidate others as he saw fit in order to further his criminal business interests and enforce drug related debts. He profited the most through this enterprise and as far as his recent history goes not had a legitimate job. He lived in a detached privately rented house, living a life of luxury including spending more than £68k in two years on holidays and travel.

“We believe that the cash transactions through his account are the tip of the iceberg and we will be pursuing him and the others through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“Oldfield, as Linegar’s father-in-law was the main runner involved in this conspiracy, doing all the dirty work on his behalf. At 69-years-old he and Linegar probably thought the police wouldn’t ever think someone of his age would be involved in something like this and as such would be beyond suspicion and the perfect front.”

Police said on April 20 officers stopped Oldfield in his car in Hampton and he was arrested after admitting to having a block of cocaine underneath his seat. Later that day Linegar was arrested in Banstead.

Oldfield’s address was searched and a number of bags of cannabis were found, as well as bags of MDMA, a stun gun concealed inside a mobile phone box, scales, and a dealer’s list.

Officers said a search was also made of a shed where Oldfield had also known to spend time, and found inside were more bags of cannabis.

Later that week Hilton and Mitten were arrested. Foster’s address was also searched, while he was away on holiday and he was arrested at Gatwick Airport when he returned home in early May.

Police added over two-year period Linegar’s bank account had £138,000 in cash credits, despite having no declared employment history since 2012. He also spent £68k on holidays and more than £98k on rent of his Worcester Park home in that same two-year period.