After a gap of more than a decade, Gareth Brown took a leisurely stroll around Steyning to regain the Easter Monday 15-mile road walking title he last won in 1989.

Brown, although not as fit as he was 12 years ago when he broke two hours for the distance, nevertheless moved easily to the head of the field as the walkers left the confines of the town.

He said: "I was not too worried about setting a fast time as I have a tough international 20km race at the end of the month.

"I wanted to test my fitness and was quite happy not to be pushed too hard."

Brown returned to Steyning High Street 2hr.7min.38sec. after he had left and he was a good 15 minutes clear of Tim Watt, who is just returning to racing after injury.

County 10,000m track champion John Killick took third place exactly two minutes behind Watt in 2:24.57.

Sally Warren also had a convincing win in the women's event, and although she was suffering over the final few miles will be well pleased with he time of 2:28.43, ten minutes clear of veteran Gill Trower (2:38.33) and Lindsey Harvey who was third in 2:40.23.

In the morning's races around the town centre, Sophie Hales had jut one second in hand over Jo Hesketh for the 3km title, clocking 15min. 35sec.