Sussex clubs have celebrated one of their most successful track and field seasons, particularly in the senior age groups.

Six county teams will be in higher divisions next season while another finished as champions but stay where they are.

Crawley gained their first promotion for nearly a decade when they finished second in division four of the men's British League.

This was the result of some patient and planned team-building by team manager Mark Sheridan, who took over in 1998 after they had dropped from division three at the end of 1997.

At the time, Sheridan said: "We need to consolidate and wait a couple of seasons while some of our promising youngsters come through the age groups."

Sheridan was rewarded after four years in division four when his squad matured to take second place behind Luton to ensure division three competition next season.

Sheridan played a major competitive role during the season, throwing the hammer to good effect and also stepping in with the javelin when required.

He said: "We did what we planned and although next season will be pretty tough in the higher division we are still working on our weaknesses and, although at this stage it is some seven months ahead, I believe we should be able to hold our own."

Ironically, probably the team with the best record of the season will not get promotion.

In division one of the men's Southern League, Worthing were defeated just once and ended the season as champions.

Unfortunately a couple of defections at the end of the season meant they went into the qualifying match weaker than they had been all season and did not make the grade.

It was a brilliant season for Worthing and manager Alan Easey said: "We are the champions and can't be deprived of that."

At the other end of the table, Hastings finished in 24th place and will drop down to division two for next season.

In division two, Chichester Runners did well having been promoted the previous season. Finishing the season in 18th place was a good effort for a set-up that came into being as a running club.

In division three, East Grinstead had a steady, if not spectacular, season, finishing 17th, but Brighton and Hove continued their slide down the divisions.

The loss of star all-rounder Paul Gilding to Worthing at the end of the previous season doomed them to relegation to division four just as much as his presence in the Worthing team, for whom he was the major points scorer, enabled them to win their title.

Horsham Blue Star Harriers' men's team finished third in division five of the Southern League and have promotion.

It means Brighton and Hove and Horsham, who 50 years ago were the top Sussex men's clubs, will clash for the first time in several decades.

Division two of the women's Southern League was the highest Sussex club contested.

Crawley and Horsham Blue Star Harriers will emulate their men's team and mix it in division one next season.

Crawley made a major turnaround after struggling for the past couple of seasons by romping away with the division two title.

At the end of the 2000 season, Horsham were unlucky to be relegated from division one on a technicality.

This year, despite the absence of the prodigious Beale twins, Sarah and Louise, who missed half of the season as they were in the United States, they finished the season in fifth to make a swift return to division one.

Worthing and Brighton and Hove teams had an up and down season but finished out of trouble in mid-table, Worthing in 12th and Brighton and Hove 14th.

Next season they will be joined by Hastings who were fifth in division three.

After a couple of years in division four, East Grinstead make a return to division three after finishing third behind Winchester and Vale of Aylesbury.

PHOENIX men's team and the Arena 80 women's squad will head the Sussex clubs in the National Six-Stage Road Relay Championship at Sutton Park, Birmingham, next Saturday.

Weakened Phoenix, who did so well to finish 11th in the recent South of England Championships at Aldershot, will be missing two of their A team runners, but team manager Paul Collicut is optimistic they have sufficient depth of ability to replace them.

Patrick Davoren, the fastest of the Phoenix athletes at Aldershot, will be in Spain while Tom Grady is in Cyprus on duty with the Army. Leigh Beard, returning to the form he showed two years back following injury, will be in the team along with Ali Parkin, who has put in much-improved performances this season.

Daryl Hards, Tom Naylor, the former county 10,000 metre track champion Geoff Hill and Neil Boniface will complete the line up.

The men's team have to qualify for the Nationals but not the women.

Caroline Herbert was the only Arena 80 athlete to run in the Southern event but, Lynn Williams, Chris Naylor and Claire Aguilina will join her at Sutton Park to complete the team.