An independent panel is to discuss the future of breast care services in Brighton and Hove for a second time.

The meeting comes as health chiefs prepare to decide whether to transfer the Nigel Porter unit to Haywards Heath.

The proposal sparked an outcry from residents when suggested last year.

The Argus launched a petition in October and collected 30,000 signatures in 11 days from people demanding it remain in the city.

Health chiefs proposed moving the unit to the Princess Royal Hospital because they said it needed to expand and there was nowhere suitable in Brighton and Hove.

The panel is made up of 17 members of the public chosen from applicants across Mid Sussex, Ouse Valley and Brighton and Hove to reflect the population.

It is weighted to include a higher number of women because of the focus on breast care services.

It first met for four days in November to look at the proposals, hearing from a range of expert witnesses from the hospitals and the charity Breast UK before presenting its findings to health chiefs.

After the first meeting, the panel backed The Argus's campaign to keep the service in Brighton and Hove.

It requested an independent architect's review of available space on the Royal Sussex site and wanted a transport feasibility study to ensure the impact of any solution on patients and their partners and families was fully understood.

Since the panel met, transport studies and an independent architect's report have been collated.

The panel will reconvene on February 28 in Lewes to look at transport and other issues.

A decision on the unit's future will be made on March 21.