Eye patients attending the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead are set to get more support following the appointment of a new eye care liaison officer.  Funded by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the liaison officer ensures that people diagnosed with sight loss are given practical and emotional support. Patients will be able to access information about maintaining independence, details of the latest aids and technology, and advice about employment and education.  

The RNIB aims for 90% of people diagnosed with sight loss nationally, to have access to support.

A woman was assaulted and robbed near the lake at Lilley Mead in Merstham.  The incident happened at around 2 o’clock on Sunday when the woman was walking towards Tesco.  She felt someone tugging her bag and was then punched to the head, causing her to fall unconscious.  When she came round she realised that her bag and mobile phone had been stolen.  The woman was wearing pink leggings and a grey top.

Police officers would like to speak to anyone who may have seen her or the offender.  They are particularly keen to speak to an older lady who stopped to help the victim who may be able to provide further information.

If you have any information that could assist officers to bring the offender to justice please call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference number 45160054814. Or you can use the online reporting system found at report.police.uk/ and enter the reference number in the ‘Additional information’ section.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council says it is satisfied that the farmer who built a mock Tudor castle without planning permission, has complied with orders to demolish it.  Mr Fidler hid the building at Honeycrock Farm in Salfords behind bales of hay for several years.  

In November last year, a High Court Injunction Order meant that he had to remove the unlawful house and return the land to its former state by 6th June.  The Judge, Mr Justice Dove granted a four week adjournment for Mr Fidler to remove remaining structures to fully comply with the Court Order.  

The Judge has now vacated the hearing scheduled for Monday, bringing the matter to a close.

A new IT Academy will open at Central Sussex College in September. The IT Academy at the Crawley campus will provide a state of the art environment for school leavers, apprentices and businesses. They’ll be able to learn programming, video game design and multimedia design, in dedicated Microsoft and Cisco computer suites.  

Courses will be offered from Level 1 through to HNC and HND.

Applications are now open for computing, IT and media courses at the Crawley campus.

Five companies offering secure parking for travellers using Gatwick Airport are being investigated on suspicion of operating illegally.

More than 1,000 unattended vehicles were discovered by Sussex Police and members of Horsham and West Sussex councils in an undisclosed boggy field near the airport.

Officials were not challenged during the 45 minutes they were on site, yet discovered keys to vehicles left in an unlocked car.  Other keys were left in envelopes on the windscreen of the cars they belonged to.

All five companies are believed to be rogue traders who offered secure, reliable and affordable parking.

Many of the vehicles on site were covered in mud and some had sunk into the ground and could not be driven out.

Officers are urging drivers to beware of rogue traders and only book with approved parking companies, pending the investigation.