Lewes Wanderers are mourning the death of Matthew Rabbetts, one of the top riders in Sussex during the Eighties and early Nineties.

Matthew, 36, was working in Rotherham when he collapsed and died later in intensive care from a brain haemorrhage.

He rode his first race for Lewes Wanderers in 1980, having already cycled from Lands Ends to John O'Groats.

He won the Sussex 12-hour Championship three times in a row between 1985-1987 and won it for a fourth time in 1991.

Matthew's total of almost 260 miles was then a county record by some nine miles.

His many individual successes included winning the East Sussex 100-mile championship.

He was a member of the Lewes team that won a number of titles including the East Sussex 25-mile team championship.

But it was over long-distances that Matthew really excelled and he beat four hours for 100 miles.

In 1992 he crossed the USA from coast to coast, covering the gruelling 3,500 miles in 35 days.

His father, Michael, who is a Lewes club official, said: "His death came as a great shock and at just 36 it seems so unfair. Despite his family commitments he was still cycling and running regularly."

Matthew leaves his wife, Sara, and their four-month old baby, Isabelle. The funeral was taking place today at St Michael's Church, Jarvis Brook, Crowborough (2pm).

James Harris (East Grinstead) retained his Sussex hill-climb title at Chantry Lane, Storrington. The fastest time in the open event was recorded by Twickenham's Robert Enslin (5min.56.9sec).

Harris recorded second place was the best performance by a local rider.

Second and third in the championship were Dave Shepherd (Rother Valley) with 6min.34.8sec and Andy Seltzer (East Grinstead) with 6min.35.9sec.

Steve Dennis (East Grinstead) took the wrong number and incurred a late start penalty of one and a half minutes, which cost him the Sussex title.

Brighton Mitre promote a cyclo-cross meeting at Sheepcote Valley on Sunday. The main event starts at 1pm.