Wealthy Sussex supporters of the Conservative Party have been donating thousands in the run up to next year's general election.

Liberal Democrats with Sussex connections have also made large individual donations to local parties.

Certain politicians even donated to their own parties, with Liberal Democrat Norman Baker giving £1,850 to his own Lewes constituency and Euro MP for South East England Caroline Lucas donating £1,372. 50 to her Green Party.

The donations for the third quarter of this year were disclosed by the Electoral Commission yesterday.

All donations over £200 from individuals have to be openly recorded.

The biggest donation to Conservative headquarters came from one of the richest men in the country, Sussex businessman Hans Rausing, the Swedish born billionaire who invented the Tetra Laval milk carton.

He donated £198,000 to the Conservatives in July.

The billionaire, comes second on the rich-list behind Roman Abramovich, owner of Premiership leaders Chelsea, has lived in a huge country mansion at Wadhurst, near Crowborough, since 1982.

Hans sold his Tetra Pak packaging company for £4.5 billion.

Former Hove MP Sir Tim Sainsbury from the wealthy Sainsbury food store family, has donated £15,000 to his former constituency party as they attempt to win back the seat, which was won by Labour's Ivor Caplin in 1997 and 2001.

Supporter Prudence Watts donated £1,500 to Wealden Conservatives and businessman Richard Newton has donated £1,500 to Lewes Conservatives for their challenge against Norman Baker.

Hastings and Rye Conservatives received £2,350 from the Surrey firm Bearwood Corporate Services.

Liberal Democrats in Arundel received £1,227 from a Mr DR Deedman and a Miss M Diggle donated £2,000 to Lewes Constituency party.

Brighton Kemp Town Labour Party received £2,000 from the trade union Amicus.

The Conservative Party nationally received more than £3.5 million in donations with Labour receiving £3.7 million, largely from unions, and the Liberal Democrats £915, 523.

The UK Independence Party received £17, 576 in the same quarter.