I HAVE been asked what the birds on the Sussex flag are - they are martlets.

Martlets are a legendary Saxon bird. It is said the Saxons discovered Sussex in 477AD and Sussex was an independent kingdom long before England was ever thought of, so you can see Sussex has a great history.

We have our own patron saint. St Richard was the Bishop of Chichester in the 13th century and St Richard's Day is June 16.

One of the things I have suggested to the two county councils is to use the term The Saxon Kingdom of Sussex for our county boundary signs. They would be great for our tourist trade.

Ian Steedman

St George’s Road

Worthing