The 2003 Sussex Open Grand Prix has been provisionally booked for Crawley Leisure Centre in October.

This is after some sterling work by Crawley administrators, Stan Whiley and Juliette Chase.

But this year's event is still in jeopardy. Sussex Table Tennis Association secretary Alan Beames said: "We are still working to form a three-person organising committee.

"We have offers to help from Doreen Nightingale, who will accept entries through the Hastings office of the English Table Tennis Association. Chairman Trevor Wiramanaden has also volunteered to take a hands-on approach "We need one more person. It is not a huge job, there would not be a lot of work during the two days of the tournament. It is purely a question of working with the Hastings Leisure department dealing with routine arrangements."

Sussex president Bill Goldfinch said: "We cannot allow this tournament to fall down this year, even though the picture for next seems better."

Nicky Standen, playing in his first veterans' tournament, has lifted the Hastings Championship with victory over Andy Chapman in the final.

Sheila King retained her Hastings title with a final round victory 11-6, 11-8, 11-3 against another new veteran, Gail Davey, of St Leonards.

A record 56 players will appear at Westergate on February 23 for the second West Sussex junior tournament for players who have not yet been chosen for Sussex in the county championships.