Sussex's travelling fans have been urged to unite and cheer for an historic county basketball double.

Brighton Bears and Worthing Thunder head to Birmingham tomorrow aiming to upset the red hot favourites and bring some overdue silverware back to the south coast.

Bears tackle Chester Jets in the National Cup final (1.45pm) and will be followed on to court by Thunder and Teesside Mohawks in the NBL Trophy final (4pm).

The two northern clubs enjoyed a monopoly of the domestic silverware last season and are strongly fancied to triumph tomorrow.

Bears and Thunder however should be well supported and they expect the two contingents of fans to unite behind the Sussex teams.

Many basketball enthusiasts in the area already support both Bears and Thunder while animosity of previous years has been soothed this season, helped by a successful pre-season event involving the two clubs at the Brighton Centre in September.

Thunder are coached by former Bears favourite Gary Smith and have former Brighton players in their ranks.

Bears star Mike Brown, who starts in place of the injured Randy Duck, is among those Brighton players who have been spotted watching Thunder games on a night off.

Bears chief Nick Nurse said: "It would be nice to see a south coast sweep. We have got room in Sussex for two pieces of silverware, no doubt about it.

"I know our people will support Thunder as well. I can't see it any other way."

Smith, who has made more appearances than anyone for Bears, wants both clubs to appreciate their achievement in reaching the big stage.

He said: "It's a massive plus to have the two teams there and I think people should step back and take the whole thing in.

"It's not often you get two teams like this, who are a stone's throw away from each other, getting the chance to play in finals on the same day.

"I think our people will get behind Brighton. All the old rivalry has gone now and everyone appreciates both teams.

"I will be keeping an eye on how Brighton are doing and cheering them on."

Bears' game is being televised live on BBC2 and has already guaranteed the club major media exposure.

Nurse, whose final interview of the week will be with BBC Asia today, said: "I have never had anything like this in all my time in basketball."

Duck's hernia has ruled him out but he will be among those offering advice and encouragement from the Bears bench.