AS WE look back at 2019 there was good news early in March with the new Hanningtons Lane near to opening.

The £100 million development would create a new shopping area in the centre of Brighton in April. The former Hanningtons department store was being transformed into a new Lane.

There would be 13 shops, plush offices, apartments and a new entrance to The Lanes from North Street.

Existing shops on the main road have also undergone a major revamp.

Thousands of young people went on the march again to demand the Government takes action on climate change.

Students flooded Brighton’s Churchill Square as part of the UK’s second climate strike protest – the first was in February.

Protesters marched from the Clock Tower up Queen’s Road, down Trafalgar Street and on to The Level.

On the way, they shouted “we demand action on climate change”.

Isaac Samuel, 15, said: “I am from Varndean School. We are the generation who will suffer and if we don’t take action it will be too late.” Fellow pupil Yola Prince, 14, said: “I want adults who are in power to hear our voice. They are not hitting climate change action targets and there isn’t enough time left.”

It was a fantastic time following the Albion with an amazing trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final. The proud Albion supporters sang their hearts out as their team were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City.

The 1-0 defeat was not the result they had been dreaming of, but it was certainly a day to remember as 34,000 loyal supporters packed into Wembley.

The western end of the ground was a sea of blue and white flags as Seagulls fans outnumbered the City support by more than 5,000.

And the Albion faithful certainly made their presence known as their chants drowned out those of their rivals long after the final whistle was blown. Manchester City failed to sell their full allocation of tickets.