A controversial consultation on plans to shake up hospitals cost taxpayers more than £2.1 million.

The Fit for the Future proposals were drawn up by West Sussex health bosses and put accident and emergency, maternity and children's hospital services at risk of cuts.

Tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations, signed petitions and went to meetings in protest, saying lives would be put at risk.

Last month West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) agreed to formally abandon its plans, leaving services at Worthing Hospital, St Richard's Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath as they were.

Now The Argus has learned that the PCT spent £1,488,355 on the project in 2007/8 and £674,170 in 2008/9, giving a total of £2.17 million.

The final total is expected to pass the £2.2 million with up to another £150,000 expected to be paid out by the end of next March.

The money was spent on staffing, advertising, consultation venues, financial analysis and advice and communications.

This included producing 50,000 consultation documents and 605,000 summary leaflets as well as paying for an external communications agency to help out in the early stages.

It also included the costs of setting up meetings and carrying out extensive reports.