Kent versus Sussex

Which is the prettiest village of them all?

The South East of England has some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

So where's the best place to live - Kent or Sussex?

Quality of life

When it comes to assessing the quality of life Richard Scase knows his stuff.

An eminent Professor of Sociology, he’s agreed to head up our special research team to find out which is best, Sussex or Kent?

So how do you measure quality of life?

"Well some people say you can't ever assess it in purely scientific terms," says Richard.

"But you can use certain criteria to measure people's overall satisfaction with life in a certain place.

"You can then compare those results, region to region and place to place."

We’ve looked at Government stats on the two counties, but we also want to hear the voice of the people so we took to the streets of the South East and asked some locals.

Top towns and villages

In Hastings the people spoke favourably of the clean sea air, the town's history, its fresh fish and the beach.

Hastings has had its fair share of social problems too, but this is a town on the up.

Over in Kent we spoke to locals in the village of Horsmonden in the Weald.

History helps Hastings come high in the league

From a village point of view Horsmonden ticks all the right boxes.

It has the five 'Ps' - a Post Office, primary school, parish church public transport and a pub.

Then it was over to the picture postcard village of Mayfield in Sussex.

But Mayfield is much more than just a pretty village.

Last year it won village of the year, it’s won an award for looking after its elderly and it’s built this sports park for its teenagers.

But is rural life all that it's cracked up to be?
Recent research shows rural life can be make you isolated.

The winner is...

All our data is now in, we've completed our tour of the two counties, and we've spoken to local people and politicians

Top of the counties - Kent or Sussex?

Now it's results time - the Quality Of Life Index for Sussex and Kent Inside Out style...

There had to be a winner and a loser so remember the scores take into account a number of factors.

And the winner is Kent!

When it comes to quality of life, Kent beats Sussex... but only just.

Links relating to this story:

• Kent Tourism
• Sussex Tourism

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Alternative therapies for dogs

Alternative therapy - dog receiving treatment

There's no doubt that complementary health therapies are becoming more and more popular these days.

Aromatherapy, acupuncture and chiropractice are commonplace.

So it's perhaps no surprise that man's best friend has muscled in on the act, as Inside Out South East finds out.

Hydrotherapy

Penge the dog was in an accident two years ago.

She was run over and lost the use of her back legs.

Her human companion, Barry Line has got her a rather dinky rear wheel arrangement which gives her some mobility and means she can still go for a bit of a run around the park.

But Barry wants a better future for Penge.

And so he's turning to the healing properties of water.

Penge is going through a course of hydrotherapy at the Silverden Centre in Heathfield, East Sussex.

To try to restore Penge back to full health, she's had some cells taken from her nose and injected into her back legs.

The hope is that this will encourage nerves to grow back (check).

Penge's vet suggested a course of hydrotherapy to help the process along.

Acupuncture

Splashing about in the water isn't the only alternative therapy available.

There is also the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture.

Tim Cousins runs a holistic vets' practice in East Hoathley near Lewes where the emphasis is on alternative therapies.

Don't try this at home - dog having acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical treatment.

Needles have to be inserted into very specific points on the skin. These points lie on channels called meridians.

The Chinese believe that this redirection of energy can cure a whole range of ailments.

We look at a Rottweiller called Ben who has been brought to Tim for treatment for arthritis.

Only trained experts can do acupuncture - you must not try sticking needles into your dog at home.

Chiropractice

Chiropractice is another alternative therapy which is increasingly being used on dogs..

Teegan's treatment has helped ease her problems

Disease is considered to be a result of something wrong with the nervous system.

And the treatment involves manipulation of the spinal column.

A dog called Teegan has stiffness problems in her back legs from a previous injury.

Her owner decided that a normal vet was not for her.

We watch as the vet demonstrates her chiropractic technique on Teegan.

Alternatives for animals

Alternative therapies for humans is a new field.

For animals it's even newer.

So traditional vets like Mark Johnston in Crowborough East Sussex recommend using caution.

Drugs are usually tested on animals before we use them on human beings.

A better quality of life for Penge the dog

But with alternative therapies, it seems to have worked the other way round.

More human patients are aware of the benefits for themselves so they're prepared to try it on their animals as well.

Of course the big question that you would ask about any alternative therapy is - does it work?

Many of the owners Inside Out spoke to were convinced that it was improving the quality of lives for their pets.

Recovery from ailments and injuries can be a slow process so in some cases it's too early to tell.

But one thing is clear - alternative therapies are currently growing in popularity.

Links relating to this story:

• Canine Hydrotherapy Association
• Animal Health Trust
• Canine Care Group

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Reptiles

Smooth Snake - heathland resident

Heathlands like Dorset Heath are increasingly rare - and they're getting rarer.

Eighty per cent of England's heathlands have disappeared in the last 200 years, so it's important to conserve places like Dorset Heath.

Inside Out takes a look at how the heath provides an ideal habitat for reptiles.

Rare reptiles

On Dorset Heath it's possible to find all six of our native reptiles, including the rarest - the smooth snake and the sand lizard.

The best time time to find snakes is when they're basking in the hot Summer sun.

The Grass Snake is the longest snake in Britain, growing up to six feet - it's also harmless.

This snake is the only one which lays eggs - other snakes lay live young.

But Dorset Heath is also home to Britain's only poisonous snake - the Adder.

It's easily identified by the 'v' on its head and its striking diamond markings.

There's sometimes a fierce battle between males for the female.

Inside Out watches as two males vie for a female in the reptile equivalent of a bar room brawl.

The heaviest male wins the battle, and the female can expect to breed with him and produce her live young in the Autumn.

These snakes are ready to hunt from the moment they're born.

Sand Lizards

The Sand Lizard is another reptile that loves heathland.

They're known as 'little dragons', but they aren't easy to find, relying on camouflage to avoid being eaten by predators.

April is the best time to see Sand Lizards, when the males are getting ready to mate, turning a fabulous bejewelled green colour for just a few days.

These creatures love this habitat with its sandy heathland and relatively warm climate.

But they're very vulnerable because the heath is becoming more fragmented due to forest fires and the intrusion of roads, which they can't travel across.

Reptile watching

To see these elusive creatures, naturalists put tins down because reptiles love the warmth and protection.

Bejewelled Green Lizard - splendid heathland creature

You can set your own sun trap using a square piece of flat wood (about 14 inches square) covered with ordinary kitchen foil.

Place this in the sun and come back later.

Lizards need solar radiation to warm themselves up. Tin foil is a good way to attract them.

As the sun warms up the foil, it's the perfect place for a sluggish lizard to come and take in the sun, and get his body temperature up.

But remember don't touch the lizards or interfere with their habitat.

Watch a lizard and snake video

Links relating to this story:

• BBC Hands on Nature
• BBC Hands on Nature - Dorset Heath
• English Nature
• Wildlife Trust - reptiles
• Dorset for You
• Dorset AONB

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites