A free bus service will be provided for campaigners who want to be present when the decision on Brighton's breast cancer unit is made.

The idea that the Nigel Porter breast care unit could move out of the city has caused controversy.

Bus company chief Roger French, who is laying on the free service, said poor public transport to Haywards Heath - where the unit could be moved - was one reason for keeping it in Brighton.

The primary care trusts of Mid Sussex and Brighton and Hove are holding a meeting on September 27 in Burgess Hill to decide where the facility should be located.

The options are to transfer it to a new building on the site of the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath or one constructed on the site of Rosaz House in Bristol Gate, Brighton, opposite the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

More than 30,000 residents in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding areas signed an Argus petition in just 11 days in October, demanding the unit remained in the city.

To ensure campaigners can attend next month's meeting, Mr French, managing director of the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, has offered to take a bus or coach load of supporters to Burgess Hill and back.

Brighton and Hove city councillor Jayne Bennett, who has been leading the campaign to keep the unit in Brighton, said: "It is absolutely brilliant. It means many people who want to go will be able to get there to hear the decision."

The lack of public transport links to Haywards Heath was one of the reasons campaigners were so opposed to the proposed transfer.

An investigation by The Argus into public transport between Brighton and Hove and Haywards Heath showed the journey would take four buses and one taxi ride and cost £8.80 for a return trip.

The return journey would take between 2hr 5min and 4hr 27min, depending on times the journey was taken.

Mr French said: "We are happy to do this because we feel it is important the people making the decision realise the strength of feeling of the people in Brighton and Hove.

"It is no good having the most wonderful breast care unit if you cannot access it and there's no doubting public transport from Brighton and Hove to Mid Sussex and the Princess Royal Hospital is extremely difficult."

Mr French said from the end of September the Brighton and Hove Bus Company would be running extra bus services to and from the Royal Sussex.

A time for the meeting has not yet been set but it is being held at Martlets Hall. Anyone who wants to catch the bus there should contact Coun Bennett on 01273 291135.