Sussex veterans have won promotion to the premier division of the County Championship.

They made sure of their return to the top flight after six years in division one with victories over Wiltshire 7-2, Kent 6-3, Avon 6-3 and Hampshire 5-4 at New Malden.

Terry Haley, in his first season as a veteran, was top-scorer with seven wins and only one defeat. The rest of the team, Robin Stace, Barrie Gilbert, Andy Meads and Sheila King, made vital contributions.

The title was clinched by Meads, who had to save match points before beating Keith Childs 12-21, 22-20, 21-18 to secure a 5-4 victory against Hampshire in the final match.

Worthing top spin ace Peter Bartramwill make his debut for Sussex as a veteran in the premiership next season. His vicious top spin is feared in the senior ranks and he should create even more havoc in the veterans' events, and the county championships.

Paul Elphick and Prakash Varsani are the top seeds at the Brighton Championships at the Newmans School, Hove on Sunday, which features a record entry of 80 players.

Elphick lifted the Haywards Heath men's singles crown for the seventh time on Sunday, defeating Alex Cumbers in the final.

Sally Weston captured the women's crown for the tenth time in a row.