A hospital boss has thanked his staff for coping with an “unprecedented surge” in patients as arctic conditions hit Sussex.

More than 1,500 patients were treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath over a six day period as people struggled to cope with icy and snowy conditions.

Hundreds of patients came through the accident and emergency departments with broken hips, ankles, wrists and legs caused by slips and falls on ungritted pavements and roads.

A&E and orthopaedic staff were at full stretch as they worked to clear the backlog of people waiting for surgery.

In a special message to workers, hospitals chief executive Duncan Selbie said they will remain on high alert throughout the New Year to make sure it had the people, beds and theatre time to treat all patients.

Brighton and Hove City Council received scores of complaints and comments about the lack of gritters around the city.

An independent review into how it handled the snow and icy conditions will be held early next year.