A TEENAGER was shoved to the ground before being robbed of £35 in Caterham.

On Wednesday between 6.30-7pm, the 16-year-old was walking with another schoolboy across the cricket green near to the Ladybird pub, heading toward Tesco, when a gang of three or four men approached him from behind, knocked him to the ground and stole cash from his wallet.

The boy suffered facial injuries including a cut to his lip and forehead, for which he required hospital treatment.

The offenders were described to police officers as white, in their 20s and wearing dark hooded tops. A spokesperson for Surrey Police they may have spoken with American accents.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Karen Scholey, said: "Although we have already spoken with a number of witnesses, I would appeal to anyone else who has information on this offence or who saw anything suspicious around the time the crime occurred.

"This was a frightening ordeal for the victim and no doubt an experience which will stay with him for some time which is why we will do all we can to bring the offenders to justice."

Anyone who can help should call 101 quoting reference 45140106560. Information can be passed anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 21-YEAR-OLD man has been charged over a stabbing in Redhill.

A man in his 20s was seriously injured after he was approached by a moped rider who demanded his mobile phone. 

When the victim refused to hand it over, he was stabbed.

Dominic Appau-Kwateng, 21, of Parritt Road, Redhill, was charged with grievous bodily harm, in relation to last Wednesday's incident in St Anne's Drive.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Guildford Crown Court on January 8.

A 17-year-old man from Coulsdon who was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of robbery has been released with no further action being taken against him.

A man in his 80s suffered head injuries in an accident in Caterham this morning.

The pedestrian was in collision with a green Vauxhall Astra in Croydon Road at about 11.10am.

He was taken by ambulance to East Surrey Hospital.

The road was closed following the accident.

Witnesses are urged to call Surrey Police on 101.

A woman who was killed in a collision on the A281 Guildford at Bucks Green near Horsham on Monday has been named as Denise Osborne.

The 67-year-old of Old Road, Buckland, Betchworth, Surrey, was driving a Mini Cooper car which was in a head on collision with a Vauxhall Vivaro van between Hillhouse Lane and Cooks Hill.

Her front seat passenger, a 75-year-old man, also from Betchworth, suffered serious injuries and was flown to St George's Hospital, Tooting, London, by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex air ambulance.

He is in a serious but stable condition.

A 17-year-old youth from Surrey driving the van suffered minor injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail until February 11.

Police are continuing to call for witnesses to the crash to come forward.

Sergeant Rob Baldwin, from the Road Traffic Policing Unit at Arundel, said: "We need to speak to anyone who saw the collision or who noticed either vehicle being driven shortly before it occurred."

Anyone able to help is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting Operation Brittas.

PICTURE a cake in a jar laced with a favourite cocktail made of vodka, whisky or gin and you arrive at the signature marketing tool behind Eleanor Appleton's new business.

Her cake cocktails, together with home-made marshmallows and fudge, are at the heart of Taste of Success, aimed at providing firms with a novel way of plugging their products at corporate events.

Ms Appleton, 33, said: "My lightbulb moment came at a business reception which ended up with guests being served a few crisps. I thought 'I can do something better than that'."

Now qualified as a pastry chef, Ms Appleton and her mother have worked fast to get the company off the ground.

She started working on planning the new business in September 2013 and the official launch took place around a year later.

Ms Appleton said she came up with the idea for the cocktail cakes after being offered cocktails in jars at a bar. "I was looking for a niche in the corporate market and I believe we are offering our clients something that no-one else is doing."

As part of the service, the jam jars can be branded for individual clients. And they are already looking towards expanding in to the weddings market, offering personalised flavours to brides and grooms.

For more information call 01737 772739 or e-mail info@tasteofsuccess.co.uk

AN ORGANISATION which has been at the heart of business for more than a quarter of a century has given its backing to the new Surrey Digital Awards (SDAs).

Surrey Chambers of Commerce, which boasts a membership of more than 1,500 businesses across the county, has become "key supporter" for the inaugural competition, which is also backed by the Surrey Mirror.

The association, which lobbies Government for the betterment of the county's prospects, is based in Woking, the town chosen to host the SDAs winners' evening on March 5. Chief Executive Officer Louise Punter is "delighted" to get behind the SDAs.

"I feel the time is right for us to recognise the significant strides forward that businesses in Surrey have made within the online marketplace," she said. "I'm very proud of our county and the appetite we have for embracing new technologies and innovative ways of reaching our customers.

"One of the great features of the SDAs is its ethos. The judges are looking to reward businesses, schools and charities who demonstrate outstanding work online and not necessarily with the greatest resources at their disposal. They are looking for the X Factor, not necessarily the product of huge budgets."

Ms Punter explained why she expects the SDAs to be a huge success. "Surrey is one of the most successful and productive areas in the UK. With an economy worth more than £30 billion and a net return of taxes to the Government of £6 billion, it embraces innovation and is a fantastic location to run a business.

"Sitting at the heart of this community, Surrey Chambers of Commerce has acted as a catalyst by connecting business to opportunities, skills, knowledge and valuable contacts for over 25 years.

"With a membership representing every sector of the economy, the Chamber works hard to ensure that the continued growth of Surrey takes into account the needs of business, as well as providing a range of high quality services to help businesses to grow and meet new customers.

"We help business to grow and develop by promoting them, keeping them informed and representing them locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally. Chamber members have the best chance to thrive and prosper.

"Surrey Chambers of Commerce is an integral part of the Surrey business support network and alongside its partners offers specialist advice on a huge range of fundamental issues facing local businesses."

Andy Pritchard from Premio64, the organisation behind the awards, described the alliance with Surrey Chambers as a "great step forward".

He added: "We are thrilled to be endorsed by an organisation which has achieved so much for businesses across the county."

The SDAs has ten categories including Website, Mobile App, Responsive Website, Online Marketing Campaign, School, Education or Charity Website, Use of Social Media for Business, Use of Video for Business, Online Business, Blog and Small Business Website.

Entry is free and takes less than two minutes to complete. The competition closes on January 9. The winners' evening will take place at the Holiday Inn, Woking, on March 5, 2015.

AFTER all the shops had closed in Redhill's Belfry Shopping Centre on Sunday, hundreds returned for a late evening carol concert.

The 21st annual Carols at the Belfry, organised by Churches Together in Redhill and District, featured Redhill Baptist Church Gospel Choir as well as traditional carols and readings.

The event also raised hundreds of pounds for the Mayor's Trust, which provides for residents in challenging circumstances, and Redhill Shopmobility, a campaign dedicated to making the town more accessible for those with mobility problems.

Andy Nash, centre manager, said: "Once again we transformed from a bustling shopping centre into a community cathedral.

"Against the X Factor final, the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final and Sports Personality of the Year, I was delighted that hundreds of local people still came out and joined our mayor and mayoress for this community carol service."

The hour-long service was recorded and will be broadcast on Radio Redhill on Sunday and again on Christmas Day at 9am. Redstone FM will air the performance on Sunday at 6pm and on Christmas Eve at 6pm.

A MAN accused of attacking his partner – and then the woman who tried to help her – will appear in court again in the New Year.

Dean Walker, of Westmead Drive, Redhill, is alleged to have assaulted Lorraine Prosser outside The Felbridge Hotel and Spa in East Grinstead on October 20.

He is then alleged to have punched Amy Grosvenor, who was not known to him, three times in the face after she stopped in her car to intervene in the incident.

The 25-year-old denied a charge of actual bodily harm against Ms Grosvenor when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on November 5. During the same hearing, the Crown Prosecution Service also added a charge of assault by beating against Ms Prosser, to which no plea has been entered.

Walker was listed to appear at Lewes Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on December 5, but the case was adjourned until Friday, January 9.

SURREY'S biggest ever school places crisis is being made worse by applications from outside the county, it has been claimed, after a report found that one in ten came from parents in and around London.

According to Surrey County Council figures, about 15 per cent of applications for a secondary school place in Surrey for next September came from London, with about 1,700 coming from the capital's surrounding boroughs including Croydon, Sutton and Kingston-upon-Thames.

A large number of the applications were for schools in Caterham, Epsom, Esher and Sunbury-on-Thames, with the rest scattered among schools in the county. A record 11,000 applications were received by the council this year as the authority looks to find an extra 13,000 places in the next few years.

More than 3,500 new places are expected to be needed by the start of the next academic year. The council's expansion plan, which is the equivalent of building nine two-form entry primary schools, will see 20 schools expanded to create extra places.

Stamford Green Primary, West Byfleet Infant and Junior, and Ashford Primary schools are set to take an extra 210 places each. In November, an additional 750 places were created.

The figures come as estate agents highlighted a trend that has seen hundreds of Londoners escaping the capital to live in Surrey with some warning that the 13,000 extra places currently needed could be the tip of the iceberg. It is thought that if the London migration continues, it could lead to another 12,000 places being required over the next decade.

Surrey County Council's cabinet member for schools and learning Linda Kemeny said: "Surrey has some of the best state schools in the country and it's clear that the high-quality education they offer continues to attract a large number of Londoners.

"Surrey needs to find 13,000 extra places in the coming years and unprecedented demand has left the council with a £215 million funding shortfall.

"With the county's taxpayers contributing £6 billion to the national coffers every year and getting less than a billion back in funding for services, it's time Whitehall gave Surrey's schools a fairer deal."

CHILDREN from a Burgh Heath school were visited by the designer of Bob the Builder.

Pupils at Aberdour School, in Brighton Road, were joined for a day on December 5 by animator, author and illustrator Curtis Jobling, best known as a production designer for the kids' TV show.

Ros Mill, the school's marketing director, said: "It went extremely well. He's a fantastic speaker and great fun.

"He really had the children going and they are very much fans of his. He talked about how he had started and he sketched out an outline of Bob the Builder in seconds.

"What he also did was explain to all of them how long an animation takes, how it's minutes and minutes and minutes of work to produce a second of animation."

Mr Jobling also regaled everyone with a story about his book Old Macdonald Had A Zoo, which ended with a huge singalong involving the teachers – much to the delight of pupils.

School staff also gave Mr Jobling a tour of the refurbished library, which has been recently revamped with a fresh layout and new books.

After his presentation, Mr Jobling conducted a question-and-answer session with pupils and signed copies of his various books, including novels from the popular Wereworld series.

Mrs Mill added: "He was very good at saying to them, 'Find something that you are good at, turn it into a hobby, then into a passion and the passion into a job'. He said drawing was his hobby and it turned into a passion and it's become his job.

"It was a very good thing to say to the children."

HORLEY history enthusiasts are objecting to plans to convert a shop and offices into flats.

The owners of stationers Don Ruffles want to transform their Victoria Road store and offices into nine homes. The shop ceased trading after a car slammed into a wall in November last year, but continues online.

According to a design statement submitted to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, the owners want to demolish garages to the rear of the property, provide a new roof and extend the building at both sides to provide eight homes. A separate, self-contained unit is proposed to the rear of the site for the final home.

But the proposal has caused concern. Don Ruffles is next to a private, historical pathway from Victoria Road to Empire Hall.

David Hall, a member of Horley Local History Society, said the group understands the path was built to transport people to Horley Pest House, where those suffering from contagious diseases were isolated from the rest of town.

He explained: "The ground at that time would have been pretty marshy so to get there they installed this hard pathway."

The limestone path is believed to have been built in the 15th century, although Mr Hall says there are signs it could be older.

Mr Hall, who lives in Yattendon Road, also says a wall constructed during the 19th century stands between the path and the stationers, but it too is in a dilapidated state. "We are worried that construction traffic will go across these things and damage them even more. That is our real concern. They are some of the oldest things in the area. I would like to see the wall refurbished because it does offer protection to the remains of the path."

Consultee Surrey County Council has backed this idea, and has recommended that no planning permission be granted until a permanent barrier is erected to prevent access to the development from the pathway. The authority has also requested more details about the construction process.

Neighbours have other concerns. Although storage for bicycles is proposed, there are no current plans to provide any car parking. In a letter to the council, Keith and Jane Bennett of Victoria Road said: "Victoria Road has a yellow line outside the proposed entrance and permit parking only in the surrounding roads, for existing properties. There would be an overwhelming temptation to use the private road at the side of Don Ruffles to park cars in the private car park of the Empire Hall. There is already an overdevelopment of flats and apartments to Victoria Road."

According to a design statement given to the council, "the proposal is appropriate in scale, design and siting and it does not adversely affect the nature and value of the area".

View the plans at www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/planning/

OXTED resident and well-known songwriter Sir Richard Stilgoe will appear on BBC1's Celebrity Mastermind.

Sir Richard, who wrote the lyrics for West End hits Phantom Of The Opera and Starlight Express, founded Godstone's Orpheus Centre in 1998, which provides performing arts for disabled youngsters.

He will be competing in the quiz against poet and comedian Tim Key, Antiques Roadshow glass specialist Andy McConnell and singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald.

The programme was filmed last month, and Sir Richard's specialist subject was British musicals up to 1980.

Sir Richard said: "Anyone who has ever watched Mastermind can imagine how nerve-wracking it is – and they are right. Walking to that chair was the longest walk of my life."

A donation for taking part was made to the Orpheus Centre.

The programme will be screened on Tuesday at 7pm.

TRAFFIC and parking chaos could be made even worse by a school's expansion plans, opponents of the plan have warned.

The problems are already "severe" in and around the joint campus shared by St Francis, Audley and Sunnydown schools off Whyteleafe Road, Caterham.

Critics fear the situation will become even worse, especially at peak times, if a scheme to extend St Francis School is given the go ahead.

The plan calls for an extension to provide two new classrooms and a larger hall. In addition the entrance from Whyteleafe Road would be widened and two exit lanes provided.

If the proposals are approved, pupil numbers at St Francis would rise from 310 to 420.

Tandridge district councillor Hilary Turner said: "There are already severe problems there at the start and end of the school day.

"The traffic implications have not been adequately thought through. The increase in traffic from this would create even worse problems."

Ahmed Hasan, who lives in nearby Cedar Park, said congestion and near-misses were already intolerable, with some ignorant parents parking on the junctions with busy Whyteleafe Road.

Caterham on the Hill Parish Council has also come out against the plan.

It said residents in neighbouring roads such as Portley Lane, Matlock Road and Strathmore Close already suffered from inconsiderate parking from those dropping off or picking up schoolchildren.

In a statement, the parish council said the minimal public transport to the schools needed to be improved.

It added: "An increase in numbers at St Francis School would affect a large number of people.

"About 700 pupils attend St Francis, Audley or Sunnydown schools, with many parents, staff and local residents using Whyteleafe Road."

But Sudantha De Silva, the Brighton-based planning agent behind the scheme, said: "There is a demand for places at St Francis School.

"The main challenges in the area are the difficulties accessing and exiting during peak times.

"To mitigate this it is proposed to increase parking [spaces] at the school, improve the traffic flow and improve the junction with Whyteleafe Road."

The application is likely to de decided on in the spring by Surrey County Council.

THERE is still time to donate gifts this Christmas to victims of domestic abuse.

This newspaper has backed the Surrey Gift Appeal to give those who have fled abusive situations and are spending the festive season at a refuge a special treat.

Dozens of packages have already been delivered to the Mirror's Redhill office, which will wing their way to those at Reigate and Banstead Women's Aid refuge and clients of East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service.

Karen Carpenter, 41, from Earlswood, donated gifts. She said: "I saw the article in the paper and had a look at the Facebook page. I think it's a fantastic idea and a really worthwhile cause.

"Like most women, I've got piles of stuff and only a fraction of it gets used. Realistically, coming up to Christmas, I'd get another load more. I sorted out the things I won't get round to using and knew there would be someone else who would appreciate them more."

If you would like to donate gifts, drop-off points include the Surrey Mirror office at 1-3 Queensway, Redhill; Elite Garages on the corner of Essendene Road, Caterham on the Hill; and Amano Deli, Limpsfield Road, Warlingham.

The deadline is January 6. For details, visit www.facebook.com/surreygiftappeal

A FIRE crew from Horley was called in after a burst water pipe caused flooding at a Horley house.

Firefighters were called to the property on Oakwood Road at around 4.45pm yesterday and found the flood water had caused minor damage to the house and was affecting the electrics.

They managed to stop the leak and shut down the electrics.

A Surrey Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "The damage wasn't too bad in the end.  Thankfully we managed to isolate the water supply and the electrics."

A DISCARDED cigarette caused a fire scare in a small residential street in Horley's town centre after it set light to other material.

A fire crew from Horley Fire Station was scrambled to reports of a fire in Regent Mews at around 5.40pm yesterday.  On arrival they discovered the cigarette had not been fully extinguished and had ignited other flammable material in a metal ashtray.

Firefighters doused the smouldering items to make the scene safe.

RAVEN Housing residents will be given advice on reducing bills by a newly appointed "energy doctor".

Chantelle Corsini will be on hand to help residents balance bills ahead of the festive period. Appointments can be arranged with her to see where savings can be made.

Measures include installing a new boiler, heating controls, and insulation. Chantelle can also help people apply for utility grants to help pay high bills and look at the general energy efficiency of homes.

Longer term, Chantelle will also work with residents on reducing food waste and water use.

For more information, call 0300 123 3399 or e-mail chantelle.corsini@ravenht.org.uk