This constituency is dominated by four towns - Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Cuckfield. Haywards Heath has a population of about 23,000 and is the main centre - the district councilís offices are based here.
Burgess Hill was for a time the fastest-growing town in Europe, expanding to over 25,000 people, and attracting Swedish giant Ericsson to set up its headquarters in the town. The constituency also contains a few small villages set in some beautiful countryside including the High Weald.
At least half the working population is employed in the service sector. Unemployment levels of under 1% are among the lowest in the country; owner-occupation is over 80%; the seat has the third lowest proportion of council house tenants in England and Wales; and lone parents are comparatively rare.
At local level, the Conservatives picked up eight seats across Mid Sussex council in 1999, and are now equal with the Lib Dems with 18 councillors each in this seat.