News in brief

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Appeal after attempted abduction

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 15-year-old girl was approached by a motorist in Durrington, West Sussex.

The girl was walking home at about 2145 GMT on Thursday when a green metallic car drove up alongside her.

The driver offered her a lift and when she refused he asked for light.

As she leant over to hand over her lighter the man, who is described as Asian and in his 30s, grabbed her by the wrist.

She pulled away and he drove off down Durrington Lane.

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Royal Pavilion 'one of finest houses'

Brighton's Royal Pavilion has been named as one of the finest houses in England in a new book.

Former Sunday Times editor Simon Jenkins placed the building in the top 20 in his book England's Thousand Best Houses.

The pavilion was awarded five out of five stars and beat Buckingham Palace which only received three.

Kensington Palace, Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House also joins the elite with five stars.

Character, life and originality were judged for the buildings to be awarded the stars.

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Pedestrian critical after crash

A 61-year-old woman has been seriously injured in a collision at a pelican crossing.

She was struck by a Ford Focus car being driven by an 83-year-old man in Sutton Park Road in Seaford, East Sussex.

The driver of the car was unhurt but the woman is in a critical condition in hospital, a Sussex Police spokesman said.

Anyone who witnessed the collision at 1445 GMT on Wednesday should contact Sussex Police.

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Crews call off unofficial protests

Firefighters in East Sussex have called off their unofficial protests over pay

The action was part of a national wildcat strike by firefighters.

Crews in Brighton, Hastings, Lewes and Uckfield had been working to rule after they failed to receive a full 7% pay rise.

But local Fire Brigade Union leaders are warning that if they're not given the money next week, they may resume their industrial action.