Sussex cricket was celebrating again today after winning three of the top honours at the BBC South Sports Awards in Southampton last night.

Sussex were named male team of the year after winning the County Championship for the first time in their 164-year history.

They beat off competition from Portsmouth FC, Reading Hockey Club and Poole Pirates speedway team who won the Elite League.

Sussex's achievement was emulated by their women's team who won the County Championship for the first time in the competition's 15-year history. They were named female sports team of the year.

There was no surprise that Cricketer of the Year was Sussex's leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed who took 103 wickets in the county's Championship success. Team-mate Murray Goodwin and Hampshire's Australian batsman Simon Katich were also nominated.

Champion three-day eventer Pippa Funnell was named sports personality of the year.

Meanwhile, Sussex have revealed that they are turning to the local business community to help fund the recruitment of a second overseas player.

Director of cricket Peter Moores admitted today that the county could not afford one unless they got financial help from their sponsors.

Moores, after discussions with Mike Burrisow, managing director of their main sponsors