The family of a man who died suddenly a few days after being involved in an incident in Brighton have appealed for help in finding out what happened to him.

Cameron Devlin, 34, from Hove, died after being taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26).

Detectives are working to establish if his death is linked to the head injuries he sustained following an assault in North Street, Brighton, shortly before 4am on Saturday December 21.

His family have said: “Every night in Brighton, a vibrant mix of people enjoy what this city is famous for - a great place to meet and celebrate life. Sadly, for Cameron, this night out ended in a brutal attack.

“Five days later, Cameron passed away and the police are investigating whether this assault was in anyway connected to his death.

“His wife, parents, family and friends are asking for your help and support for the investigation so that we can get to the truth for Cameron.”

Four people were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and police have released CCTV of a fifth man who they would like to speak to.

Detectives are also urging anyone with CCTV or dash cam in the area - including taxis - which may have captured the incident, to come forward.

Call police on 101 quoting Operation Curve.

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

• Three 18-year-old men and a 19-year-old man, all from Crawley, arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Few would argue that it has been a season of progress for Albion so far under Graham Potter. But which players should Brighton look to add to their squad and where should they trim?

Kyle Walker-Peters, Age 22, Value £15m
Brighton are short in the right back area and the Tottenham player would be a fine addition. Serge Aurier is the first choice for Spurs and the 22-year-old academy graduate has featured just once since the arrival of Jose Mourinho. Graham Potter is keen to add competition in this area for Martin Montoya. Walker-Peters can operate as full-back but can easily play the wing back role that Potter often favours.

Fedor Chalov, age 21, value £15m
The Seagulls are keen to boost their strike force and are looking for a long-term replacement for Glenn Murray. Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly have both performed well this season but CSKA Moscow striker Fedor Chalov is a player they are keen on. Crystal Palace tried to sign Chalov, 21, at the start of the season but failed to get the deal over the line. Chalov has five goals and two assists from 19 outings in the Russian Premier League.

Shane Duffy, age 27, value £12m
Unlikely to move in January. The central defender is back in the starting XI having previously dropped down the pecking order due to Adam Webster's arrival. Webster has had a few wobbles of late and Duffy provides a very reliable back-up - not only for Webster but also for Lewis Dunk. Duffy and Brighton may well look at his situation once again in the summer, especially if Ben White returns from his loan spell at Leeds.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh​, age 26
Bit of a mystery here. Jahanbakhsh looked to be on his way out but he has forced his way back into the side. He got his chance against Bournemouth - partly due to the hectic festive period but also because of his hard work in training. He took his chance in the best possible way with his first ever goal for Brighton. Whether that will keep the £17m signing at the club remains to be seen. Graham Potter said after the match he wants him to stay and Jahanbakhsh insists he has never asked for a move elsewhere. Was Bournemouth the start of something or was it simply a farewell gift? We await with interest.

Leon Balogun, age 31
The Nigeria international defender has made one appearance for Brighton this season which was a Carabao Cup tie at Bristol Rovers back in August. A January move could be best for all concerned. Balogun, 31, joined from German side Mainz 05 in the summer of 2018 and last season he did score against Palace.

Glenn Murray, age 36
Game time has been limited for the 36-year-old striker and he may seek a move elsewhere in search of first team football. Murray has been a positive influence this season and has helped in the development of young strikers Aaron Connolly and Neal Maupay. Brighton could be tempted to part company with Murray though, especially if they land Chalov in the January window. Many Albion fans will be sorry to see Murray depart.

There was a busy start to the New Year for Sussex Police across the county as they responded to more than 800 calls for assistance and made 80 arrests last night (New Year’s Eve).

Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell said, “This was a very busy night for our officers and staff across Sussex, as we responded to a large number of calls for our assistance as well providing a proactive and reassuring presence in the busiest areas.

“Although there were incidents requiring a robust and swift response, we are glad that overall the night went well and that the vast majority of people enjoyed themselves in safety.”

More than 800 calls came in between 10pm on New Year’s Eve and 6am on New Year’s Day, an increase of some two-thirds on the average number for other nights, according to police.

Incidents involved a whole range of policing needs, including fights, disputes, damage, and road traffic incidents - so far none are reported to have involved serious or life-threatening injury, said police.

Police said over the same period the 80 arrests again covered a range of offences including assaults, drunk and disorderly and criminal damage, an increase on the average for other nights.

However police emphasise that the figures for calls and arrests include some matters unrelated to New Year’s celebrations.

Online banking customers in Sussex and across the UK have been unable to use their internet accounts today (January 1) after three major banks’ websites and mobile apps have crashed.

Customers from Lloyd’s, Halifax and RBS have reported on social media they are unable to login to their accounts on New Year’s Day.

Many customers have vented their frustration online and have seen the banks respond saying that they are working to fix the issue.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a brilliant equaliser for Brighton against Chelsea.

Brighton were pushing forward and Chelsea were under pressure for long periods at the Amex after taking a 1-0 lead in the first half.

Jahanbakhsh had his back to goal and a defensive header fell to him 15 yards out.

The Iranian international launched himself into the air and acrobatically lashed the ball beyond Arrizabalaga for what could well be a goal of the season contender and forced a 1-1 draw.

It was the second goal in two matches for Jahanbakhsh

Brighton and Hove Albion played out a 1-1 draw with Frank Lampard's Chelsea at the Amex Stadium.

But who shone and who struggled for Graham Potter's men?

Alireza Jahanbakhsh's stunning overhead kick helped Brighton and Hove Albion to a well deserved a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium

The Iran striker's acrobatic finish punished Frank Lampard's Chelsea who were fortunate to avoid defeat, with Kepa Arrizabalaga denying Aaron Connolly and Neal Maupay late on.

Albion's record signing Jahanbakhsh had broken a 20-match league duck with his strike in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth on December 28. And the 26-year-old started 2020 in some style, with a bicycle kick finish worthy of anyone's highlights reel.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta tapped home just nine minutes in as Chelsea started well. But by the final whistle it was the Blues who were clinging on, to leave Brighton buoyed by the point.

Azpilicueta did the honours with the first Premier League goal of 2020, tapping in from a corner following a goalmouth scramble.

The 30-year-old toasted his 100th start as Blues captain in style and Chelsea seized on their early opener to squeeze themselves into total control.

So tight was Chelsea's early grip that Brighton were reduced to just a deflected effort from Steven Alzate and a whipped shot from Leandro Trossard, that Kepa palmed away theatrically.

Yves Bissouma was taken off at the break with Aaron Connolly on to stiffen the home midfield, but after the interval Chelsea still picked up where they had left off.

Pulisic had tormented Martin Montoya throughout the first-half and extended the Brighton man's torrid time by outfoxing him twice in quick succession after the break.

Chelsea's USA forward failed to find the target on both occasions however.

The visitors survived Jorginho being mugged by Maupay in his own half in a rare error from the Italy midfielder.

Pulisic drew a save from Mathew Ryan after a scything ball from Willian, but that proved his last act of the day as Callum Hudson-Odoi climbed off the bench to add final quarter impetus.

Mateo Kovacic then replaced Mason Mount in a defensive move from Lampard aimed at shutting the contest down.

Brighton finally sensed Chelsea's disquiet and Connolly almost fired an equaliser, only for Kepa to produce a fine point-blank save.

Kovacic had conceded the free-kick for Connolly's chance, and then made another cheap and risky foul within shooting range.

Trossard wasted the opportunity to hand both Kovacic and Chelsea a serious let-off.

The Blues ignored all the warning signs though, and paid the price when Jahanbakhsh pulled off a fine bicycle kick to volley Brighton level. Lewis Dunk won a ball played in the box and Jahanbakhsh's execution of the overhead was just perfect.

A floundering Chelsea almost threw the game away entirely at the death, as Maupay was thwarted by another good Kepa save.

But the visitors held on amid the onslaught, for a point and Brighton were perhaps unlucky in the end not to claim all three from what was a very entertaining encounter.

ALBION: Ryan, Montoya, Dunk, Webster, Burn (Bernardo 21), Trossard, Alzate, Propper, Bissouma (Connolly 45), Mooy (Jahanbakhsh 68), Maupay.

SUBS NOT USED: Button, Duffy, Stephens, Gross.

ATTENDANCE: 30,559

Brighton and Hove Albion defender Dan Burn faces a lengthy period on the sidelines after fracturing his collarbone during the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Burn was clattered during an aerial challenge with Chelsea right back Reece James in the first half and required lengthy treatment on the pitch.

The 6ft 7in left back was forced off with his arm wrapped in his shirt as a makeshift sling and was replaced by Bernardo.

Burn, who has been an ever-present in the Premier League for Albion this season, now faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a fractured collarbone.

"It's a blow," said Potter, "“These things happen in football. I thought Bernardo came on and did really well. It’s about the squad adjusting and he is an obvious replacement. Dan’s been fantastic, but that’s football.”

Albion head coach Graham Potter priased a stunning equaliser from Alireza Jahanbakhsh and the bravery of his players following their 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on New Year's day.

Chelsea took the lead after just 10 minutes thanks to a close range strike from Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta but Albion were always in the match and improved further after the break.

Substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh levelled the scores with an excellent overhead kick. The Iranian international has now scored two goals in his last two matches, having failed net in his first 26.

“I thought the players were amazing, it was an incredible performance," said Potter. They went toe to toe with a top-four side and matched them. They have players who can hurt you if you make a mistake so the level of courage to keep playing in our way was amazing.

“I’m incredibly proud. The crowd can get frustrated if we make a mistake, so the players have my utmost respect for the personality they have shown today.

"We want to play our way and I’m so pleased they got a reward for their efforts.

“We had to change the structure of the team but we got better in the second half. We had to defend our box which you’d expect but, in the end, I thought their keeper was busier than ours. We even had a couple of chances to win it.

Potter also praised the skill shown by Jahanbakhsh to net the equaliser.

“He’s had a good week that’s for sure. It was a wonderful execution and it shows how things change so quickly in football,” said Potter.

“I spoke to him about why he didn’t start today. It was a bit tactical and having played on Saturday I didn’t think it was the right way to use him so quickly after he put so much into the Bournemouth game.

“He hasn’t had the game time he would like. He’s been frustrated, which is normal, but he’s been really professional - and just wants his chance.

“I like him a lot. His decision making is better and he’s got a knack of scoring goals.”

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was however frustrated that his team failed to take chances that he thought could have killed off the match in the first half. "It was frustrating for different reasons.

"In the first half, the game was there to be won. We weren't ruthless enough. We got the goal and we had the possession, but we just didn't kill the game off.

"We allowed them to stay in the game. In the end it was a wonder goal but we were lucky not to lose the game. In the end, the tactics matched up for both teams but they were better than us. We have to take that on the chin.

"[The lack of consistency] is a concern. It's something we absolutely have to look at. We have to look at the game today. It's a point, but I'm not happy with the performance."

Alireza Jahanbakhsh said he's started 2020 in the best way possible following his remarkable equaliser against Chelsea at the Amex Stadium.

The Iranian international scored his second in two matches when fired home a spectacular over-head kick to seal 1-1 draw against Frank Lampard's men.

Jahanbakhsh, 26, was on target against Bournemouth on December 28 and he now has two in two having failed to find the net in his first 26 for the club.

"When I was about to go on, I had a feeling I could have an impact on the game," he said. "When I saw the ball, I just tried to hit it as hard as I could and the bicycle kick was the only option. I'm going to watch it a couple more times.

"I have done this before in training but to do it in an important competition against an important team. When Dunky (Lewis Dunk) hit the ball I just thought I wanted to hit it as hard as I could. You could see by the look on my face that I could not believe it.

"To do it this game against such a side, it could not be any better. I think it is my best goal."

Some were surprised that Jahanbakhsh was omitted from the side to face Chelsea after his fine display in the previous match against Bournemouth. Head coach Graham Potter felt two matches in quick succession would have been tough n a player who hasn't featured so much this campaign.

"I have not played in a long time," said Jahanbakhsh. "Playing two games in a row, with a lot of intensity, that is probably the main reason I didn't start. I had a feeling I was going to go on in the second half and I just wanted to make an impact on the game.

"It has been a really tough time for me. I have been training well and working hard to get my chance. Luckily, it has gone the way I wanted.

"2019 didn't go as well as I wanted. I tried to end the year as well as I could and I've started 2020 in the best way possible."

Two Brighton and Hove Albion supporters and one visiting supporter were ejected from the Amex Stadium and  arrested, for three separate incidents of abuse during the New Year's Day match against Chelsea.

Two home supporters — one for racist abuse of Chelsea players and one for homophobic abuse aimed at Chelsea supporters.

One visiting supporter was also ejected by club stewards for homophobic abuse aimed at home supporters. All three were arrested by Sussex Police outside the stadium and now face prosecution.

Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said, “Yet again our safety and stewarding team, along with Sussex Police, have had to deal with three separate and unwanted instances of disgusting racist and homophobic abuse.

“If the prospect of a life ban from watching their clubs play football isn’t a strong enough deterrent, we have to ask the question as to whether the courts should be given the power to hand out more severe punishments? Football can only do so much, and we are sick and tired of the game’s reputation being tarnished by these people.

"I find it impossible to comprehend how and why some individuals think it's acceptable to behave in this way, and yet again I will make it very clear that neither Brighton & Hove Albion nor the wider football community, will tolerate racism, homophobia, or any other form of discrimination at any time.

"We would urge any fans confronted with similar discriminatory behaviour at our stadium to report it immediately, either directly to a steward or via our anonymous hotline, and we will continue to take the strongest possible action against such bigoted individuals. These people are not welcome at the Amex or at any football matches."

The case is an ongoing and active criminal investigation and the club said they will not comment further at this stage.

Brighton and Hove Albion recorded a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on New Year's Day.

Our photographer Phil Westlake was there to capture the atmosphere from the crowd.

Proposals to expand a children’s nursery in Peacehaven are set to go before Lewes planners next week. 

On Wednesday (January 8), Lewes District Council’s planning committee are expected to consider an application seeking to expand Wild Monkeys Childcare, a children’s nursery in Glynn Road.

The nursery currently operates out of a building which is used as both a commercial premises and a family home, with the ground floor and garden used for childcare during opening hours. 

However, the application seeks to change this mixed use, allowing the whole building to be used as a nursery. While there are no extensions to the building planned, this would see the nursery’s floor space increase and allow it to increase its intake from 20 to 40 children.

The nursery is also seeking a minor increase to its opening hours, allowing it to open at 7.30am rather than 8am. It would continue to close at 6.30pm and only open for business during the week

The application, however, has proven to be controversial with neighbours, with planners receiving 14 letters of objection as well as a petition with 47 signatories (from 33 addresses).

However, the application also received 59 letters of support.

Objectors argue the proposals would cause increased disruption to the surrounding residential area, including its effect on parking and traffic.

The application is also opposed by Peacehaven Town Council, which is recommending the proposals be refused.

Despite these concerns, the application is recommended for approval by planning officers.

In a report to be considered by the committee, a council planning officer said: “It is considered that the proposed use represents the provision of a community facility within a sustainable location that would serve a growing local population.

“Subject to the adherence to management plans relating to noise and travel, it is considered that the expanded nursery use could operate without an unacceptable detrimental impact upon the amenities of neighbouring residents or upon highway functionality.”

Conditions proposed by officers would require the nursery to put in place a travel plan and limit opening hours to weekdays (although staff can access the site for maintenance and training at weekends).

The conditions would also limit the number of children using the garden at any one time and limit its use to no more than three hours in any one day, with at least two hours between play sessions.

The building would also revert back to a residential home should the nursery permanently close. This is intended to guard against the building becoming a purely commercial property in future. 

For further details see application reference LW/19/0493 on the Lewes District Council planning website.

A beauty therapist from Eastbourne made it onto the New Year’s Honours List after winning a gold medal at a global competition for trade.

Kaiya Swain competed against 28 other countries to come out on top at the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 competition, which sees people in trades go head-to-head.

The 25-year-old said, “It is an honour to be presented with the award. It is quite overwhelming. I’m just a young beauty therapist from Eastbourne who had some big dreams and goals.

“I had nothing to lose by entering and everything to gain. It made me push myself. I was such a shy kid when I was at school, I would never have dreamt of doing something like this competition in a million years.

“If it was not for the support of my training team, Jenna Russell, friends and family none of this would have been possible.”

Kaiya was competing over four days, with crowds of about 100,000 visitors, where she was assessed on tasks including facials, body treatments, waxing, pedicures, make-up and nails.

The former Lewes College Sussex Downs student said, “The training team teach you about your whole mindset. All I was focused on is myself, my model, my treatment. When I look back at some of the pictures I could not believe how many people were watching.”

Kaiya, who is the owner of Kaiya Rose Beauty in Stone Cross, said she has always had a passion for beauty therapy as she feels it changes people’s lives.

She said, “Beauty is always something I have wanted to do. I have always enjoyed making people feel good about themselves. At the end of treatment it is just lovely to see how much it can change peoples’ lives.”

Kaiya said she also visits schools in Sussex to talk to pupils about their future prospects and the different pathways to realise their dreams.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Kaiyarosebeauty or www.instagram.com/kaiyarosebeauty

Read this: Missing Eastbourne man has been found

Read this: Eighty arrests made by Sussex Police on New Year’s

Police are appealing for witnesses after a hit and run at an Indian restaurant in Lewes.

According to police, a silver 4 x 4 vehicle believed to be an old style silver Land Rover Discovery appeared to have lost control at about 8.10pm on Tuesday (December 31) and hit the front of the restaurant in Eastgate Street, smashing the window and injuring four customers having a meal. The vehicle then made off towards Friars Walk.

Police said two of those injured were treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, for minor cuts and the other two did not require hospital treatment.

PC Martyn Quick said, “We are investigating the circumstances of this collision and would like to hear from anyone who could identify the vehicle or the driver. Please get in touch with us if you can help.”

Email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or ring 101 quoting serial 1291 of 31/12.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman on her way from a Christmas party.

Sussex Police said a 37-year-old man from Newhaven has been arrested on suspicion of rape after the attack on Friday, December 20.

According to police, the victim, a woman in her 30s, had been at a work Christmas party in Brighton that evening and, due to her level of intoxication, was put in a taxi home to Worthing by her friends.

She was taken home to Worthing, police said, where it is alleged the driver followed her into her flat and raped her.

Following what police described as an intensive investigation, and information from the public, the suspect remains in custody for interview and further enquiries.

The victim is continuing to be supported by specially trained officers, police added.

Read more here: Worthing woman 'raped by taxi driver' after Christmas party

Three men have been arrested in relation to hate crimes at a football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea.

Sussex Police said fans of both teams were arrested yesterday (January 1) on suspicion of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress (homophobic abuse).

A 21-year-old man from Brighton - a home fan - was released on conditional bail until January 29, police said.

A 56-year-old man from Portslade, also a Brighton and Hove Albion fan, was released under investigation pending further enquiries, as was a 21-year-old East Preston man from among the Chelsea supporters.

The arrests were made by officers working with club stewards, police added.

Earlier today, the club's chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber released a statement condemning the abuse. He said: “Yet again our safety and stewarding team, along with Sussex Police, have had to deal with three separate and unwanted instances of disgusting racist and homophobic abuse."

Read more about Paul's response to the abuse here: Three fans arrested for racist and homophobic abuse during Brighton vs Chelsea
Both teams settled for a 1-1 draw in the New Years' Day fixture after Alireza Jahanbakhsh's stunning overhead kick cancelled out Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta's opener.

The future of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s control centre is set to be decided at a meeting next week.

On Thursday (January 9) members of the East Sussex Fire Authority will meet to discuss the next steps for how 999 calls are handled within the county.

The discussion comes after councillors previously chose to defer a decision on whether to share its control centre operations as part of a three-way partnership both Surrey and West Sussex fire services. 

While recommended for approval by senior officers, a decision on this arrangement was deferred at a meeting in October as councillors raised concerns about being “rushed” into the multi-million pound outsourcing deal. 

At the time, councillors said they did not have enough information about the alternative options available – including whether ESFRS could run its own standalone control room in Lewes.

As a result, officers were directed to provide more information – both on the potential for a standalone control room and the recommended partnership proposals – for members to consider before making their decision. 

Papers containing this further information have not been made public (as they are said to contain commercially confidential details), but are set to be partly discussed in open session at next Thursday’s meeting.

Previous papers showed the recommended partnership proposal would be expected to cost the fire authority more than £11m over the next seven years. However, it would lead to “immediate operational benefits” as a result of the sharing of resources between fire services, the papers said.

The decision would also impact on the roles of control room staff, based at the fire service’s current control centre at Haywards Heath Fire Station.  Around 24 roles would be affected, according to a fire service spokesman.

At the October meeting, officers warned delaying the decision ran the risk of a breakdown in industrial relations and staffing levels due to further uncertainty.

Officers had also said further delay would pose risks in terms of the stability of the existing fire mobilising system – both in terms of the existing IT system and the company behind it.

With the new year marking the start of a new decade, who will make a name for themselves in the world of sport in 2020?

From the Women’s Six Nations, to the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia and the summer ahead at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, we look at ten British females to keep an eye on this year.

Freya Anderson (Swimming)

Back in 2017, Anderson made her senior debut for Great Britain at the World Aquatics Championships and since then, the young swimming sensation’s stock has only risen further.

Despite being only 18 years old, the freestyle specialist has a wealth of experience behind her but the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Glasgow last month was where she really came of age.

Anderson earned her first international individual titles, after timing her races to perfection to clinch double gold in the 100m and 200m freestyle, beating out stalwarts of the sport Federica Pellegrini and Femke Heemskerk.

Translating that stunning short course form to the 50m pool will be key for the teenager with an Olympic year where she can test herself on the biggest stage of all.

Sky Brown (Skateboarding)

It could be a big year for this young star who hopes to show off her skateboarding skills and become one of the youngest athletes to ever compete at the Olympic Games.

Back in September, the 11-year-old claimed a bronze medal at the Park Skateboarding World Championships in Sao Paulo – the two athletes who finished ahead of her on the podium were aged 13 and 17.

Skateboarding, it seems, is a sport for the young and the Olympics will feature it for the first time as men and women compete in street and park in Tokyo.

Brown is continuing to collect points to ensure she qualifies for the Olympic Games and if she does, the then 12-year-old would be the youngest Olympian since Romania’s Carlos Front - who coxed the men’s eight in 1992.

Claire Cashmore (Paratriathlon)

Switching sports is not necessarily an easy transition but Claire Cashmore has made light work of her swap.

A Paralympic swimmer who made her debut at Athens 2004, she won medals on the World, European and Paralympic stage culminating in gold as part of the 4x100m 34 points medley relay at Rio 2016.

However, after taking some time out post-Rio, Cashmore decided to give paratriathlon a go and found success reasonably quickly with silver at the 2018 ITU World Championships.

The 31-year-old secured another silver at the 2019 ETU European Championships but upgraded to gold at the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final.

Sophie Christiansen (Para-Dressage)

Aiming to be at her fifth Paralympic Games, Christiansen is a legend of para-dressage and a must-watch heading towards Tokyo.

Her first Paralympic medal – a bronze – came way back in Athens and it was followed up by two golds and a silver in Beijing.

But gold was the colour in London and Rio as the para-dressage rider secured her status as the world’s best and came home with three titles from each of those Games.

After not enjoying Rio, the 32-year-old has a new team around her, a new horse and is ready to do her best on the international stage – even if the focus is not all about winning anymore.

Shauna Coxsey (Climbing)

Another sport set to make its Olympic debut in Tokyo will be sport climbing, which will showcase the three disciplines of lead climbing, speed climbing and bouldering.

Medals will be awarded to an overall winner in the men’s and women’s events – whoever performs best across all three disciplines will take home the Olympic crown.

Coxsey has strong pedigree in bouldering and claimed back-to-back World Cup titles in 2016 and 2017, while she is also a five-time British champion.

At the World Championships last year, the 26-year-old claimed bronze in the bouldering – her strength – but also picked up bronze in the combined category, highlighting her potential to be a medal contender at the Olympics.

Mallory Franklin (Canoe Slalom)

With Tokyo now just months away, one of the athletes who has already booked their place on the plane to Tokyo is canoeist Franklin.

The 25-year-old was selected to Team GB back in October and will race in the women’s canoe single (C1) class – a discipline making its debut in Japan.

Franklin is Britain’s most successful female paddler becoming world champion in 2017, collecting a record haul of eight individual international medals in 2018 and winning her first individual senior European title and World Cup gold in 2019.

But it will also be a first Olympic appearance for Franklin, who watched the London 2012 Games as a fan and now gets to go for her own piece of glory.

Jade Jones (Taekwondo)

Winning gold at London 2012 catapulted Jones into the sporting limelight of Great Britain before she repeated the trick in Rio four years later and, with another Olympic year upon us, the taekwondo star will battle at her third Games.

Back-to-back Olympic victories are hard to come by, but Jones thrives and triumphs in the big arena with the world watching.

The 26-year-old has continued her success in the last Olympic cycle and last year she added the long-awaited missing medal to her CV – World Championship gold, won in front of a home crowd in Manchester.

An Olympic year is a special occasion and after ending her wait for the world title, another Olympic crown will be at the forefront of her mind.

Maria Lyle (Para-Athletics)

Lyle is one of Britain’s young track stars who has performed at the highest level on the biggest stages but to get the Tokyo Paralympics would be quite an achievement.

The pedigree is there – she won double sprint gold at the European Championships in 2014 and 2016, holding the world record and securing medals at the World Championships and Rio Paralympics.

However, the 19-year-old wasn’t enjoying racing and after being diagnosed with anxiety in 2018, she returned to the track rejuvenated for the 2019 World Para-Athletics Championships.

The enjoyment returned and Lyle clinched double gold in Dubai. Being happy with her racing is now the key over medals but that might be just the thing to give her the edge in Tokyo.

Leah Williamson (Football)

Arsenal enter 2020 at the top of the Women’s Super League table, seeking successive titles and the only English club left in the women’s Champions League.

It could be a big year for Williamson, having made her senior England debut in 2018 she received the call last summer to be part of the Lionesses squad for the 2019 World Cup where they finished fourth.

Despite not yet being a mainstay of the England side, Williamson is a vital part of the squad and showcased this when she scored the winner against the Czech Republic in November.

With the Lionesses booking a quota place for Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics, there could yet be more domestic and international success for the 22-year-old.

Danielle Wyatt (Cricket)

One of the first major events of the year is the 2020 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in Australia where England were runners-up in the 2018 edition of the tournament.

Wyatt is one of the stars of the England team and proved this once again in December when she scored her first century in a WODI match against Pakistan.

The 28-year-old has showcased her skills all over the world having played in the Big Bash for the Melbourne Renegades and she will feature in the Hundred with Southern Brave.

England have been going through a transitional period over the past year but expect Wyatt to be one of the team’s leading lights both at home and abroad.

Memory man and intrepid walker David Bathurst has pulled off a remarkable double to celebrate his 60th birthday.

On Saturday, December 14 at St George’s Church, Eastergate, he sang 60 seasonal carols/songs in the morning and another 60 in the afternoon, all from memory.

David then marked the New Year by walking his age in 24 hours – 60 miles from his home in Yapton, all the way to Hastings.

Both events were in aid of Stonepillow – and you can still contribute on

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/DAVID-BATHURST1

“My thoughts on finishing were a massive sense of achievement combined with disbelief that I’d actually done it. I still can’t quite believe it now and have to keep reliving it all to remind myself I got there!”

There were plenty of highlights along the way on his epic trek:

“1 The sense of stillness as I walked below Highdown Hill on the approach to Worthing; this was in the very middle of the night with starry skies above me. It was astonishingly beautiful.

“2 Seeing the sun rise as I walked the clifftops between Brighton and Newhaven. Not only was this a quite majestic sight but the arrival of daylight seemed like a gift from the heavens after the long hours of walking in darkness.

“3 Following Cooden Drive on the approach to Bexhill, with just under 54 miles completed, and for the first time since setting off, getting the sense of certainty that I would make it. A tremendous feeling.

“4 Visiting a seafront café at Bexhill and on my telling the owner that I’d walked ‘only’ 54 miles to get there, being offered a blanket and free coffee and ginger cake. As I set off after that, with less than six miles to go, I was emotionally overwhelmed at the memory of such kindness.”

But there were also lows:

“1 At Worthing I tripped on a piece of raised concrete marking the middle of the road, and fell; I sustained cuts to both my hands and both my knees. Mercifully I got up straight away and suffered no other ill-effects.

“2 There was a hateful stretch of road walking between Cuckmere Haven and Friston on the Seaford-Eastbourne section of the A259 with no pavement, narrow verges often broken up by mini-troughs and strewn with vegetation – and huge amounts of traffic including buses and coaches.

“3 Because of huge queues in the cafes and shops I needed to patronise at Eastbourne I had far less time than I would have liked, to relax and regroup there, and I set off from there feeling agitated rather than composed. It took a while to settle back into the zone.

“Even though I’d not injured myself badly from my fall, it still shook me and I wondered if this was going to be ‘not my day.’ It was still only 3.15am, three hours in, and my confidence was at quite a low ebb. However it had recovered as I reached Hove and although I was determined not to become over-confident or complacent, I always felt pretty sure after that that I would be ok – barring an unforeseen disaster or total exhaustion!

“This was always about walking my age to celebrate the big birthday. It was a personal challenge and a test of my physical and mental resilience. That never changed. I am thrilled that I was equal to it. Of course I’m delighted that I was able to use it to raise money for Stonepillow. I did think beforehand that by walking through the night I could get some idea of what it must be like to have to wander the streets at night as a homeless person – although curiously as I walked that didn’t feature in my thoughts at all! I was just keen to build up the miles.

“The conditions were absolutely perfect. Clear cold starry night, then sunshine and cloudless skies by day, a gentle following breeze, then another clear evening. By day it wasn’t that cold and my biggest problem was actually staying hydrated. I got through five bottles of water and six coffees. Plus seven bananas!”

David admits, walking-wise, he is not sure he can ever top this: “It was a massive effort and around the 45-mile mark I told myself that even if I didn’t make it to the end, I wouldn’t want to try again. I was most fortunate in having superb conditions and excellent physical health; I chose an easy route, mostly along pavements and promenades, with refreshment easily available – and it was still incredibly hard. I’m always up for a challenge but let’s just say I’m not planning to walk 70 miles when I reach 70!”

The epic challenge came just a couple of weeks after David’s Carolathon.

“Just over 2 weeks before the walk I succeeded in singing 120 carols and other seasonal songs from memory at Eastergate Church – again as a 60th birthday celebration. It was hugely enjoyable and I am overwhelmed with the generosity of so many friends and parishioners, enabling Stonepillow to benefit by well over £2,000.”