Glazing firm Davies and Tate has opted to discontinue sponsorship of the tournament.

The D & T Trophy is hugely popular and virtually every club in the county takes part in the competition.

Now after 17 years, Uckfield-based Davies and Tate has called a halt to its support.

Spokesman Phil Davies said: 'We did not want to withdraw from the tournament.

'But, having built it up, another local company was prepared to pay substantially more to sponsor it.

'I say this regretfully and I wish the tournament a huge success in the future.'

At the Sussex County Golf Union annual meeting, president David Harmer announced that Davies & Tate would no longer continue as sponsors.

'There is somebody else interested but if that comes to nothing we will do it ourselves,' he said.

D & T's sponsorship for the tournament is believed to have totalled £150,000.

Sussex golf writer John Vinicombe said: 'The financial clout of the Uckfield-based double glazing firm has never been in doubt.

'In sponsorship terms D&T's association has not only been good for both parties but also over a remarkably long period.

'So far as Sussex golf is concerned it is the end of an era.'