As people start to enjoy the warmer weather, advice has been issued to try and reduce the risk of accidental fires.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service list some basic tips for the barbeque season:

. Make sure that your barbeque is placed on clear level ground where it will not tip over.

. Use approved barbeque fuel or firelighters to light it, never petrol or paraffin.

. Keep barbeques away from the house, shed, fences, garden furniture or overhanging trees and shrubs.

. Keep children and pets well away from the cooking area.

. Don’t leave your barbeque unattended at any time.

. Empty any spent ash on to bare soil, not into a dustbin.

. If you are lighting a barbeque in the countryside or on the beach – check beforehand that it is an authorised area.

. When using a disposable barbeque make sure the coals are completely cold before throwing them away.

A man from Horley who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has had his appeal against conviction rejected.

Last year an investigation discovered David Russell was not and had never been registered.   The 57 year-old had also failed to carry out necessary legal procedures in relation to work contracts and offering a cooling-off period.

The judge for his appeal refused to reduce the penalty already imposed on Mr Russell under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 however the appeal for the charge under the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 was conceded.

A father and son have been jailed for their part in a fraud worth more than £23 million.

Daniel Andrew Barrs and Daniel Barrs from Lingfield and Horley were both convicted of facilitating money laundering.

65 year-old Barrs was given three seven-year sentences to run concurrently.  His 29 year-old son was handed three sentences of three years, also to run concurrently.

Two other men, Narinder Chada and Gurmail Dosanjh, were found guilty of conspiracy to cheat the public purse of £11.7 million.  They were sentenced to seven and eight years respectively.

The fraud was linked to the trade of carbon credits which allowed companies to produce more carbon dioxide than they would otherwise be permitted to.

There has been a serious collision in Lingfield.

A white Peugeot van, a white Ford Transit van and a red Renault Clio were travelling along the A22 at Blindley Heath just before midday yesterday.

Occupants of all vehicles were treated by ambulance crews and one of the drivers was taken to St. George’s Hospital with serious spinal injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or events leading up to it are urged to contact Surrey Police.

A man is wanted for questioning in relation to an incident in Tandridge.

Officers from Surrey Police have been searching for 55 year-old Glenn Trevor Williams but have so far been unsuccessful.  It is believed he may have connections in Sussex.

Mr Williams is described as a white man, 5ft 10ins tall and of a large build.

Detectives want to speak with him in connection with a domestic related incident.