A talking sign aimed at helping patients find their way around a hospital is to be installed.

Patients and visitors at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton often have problems finding their way around its grounds and departments.

However, from the end of March, by pressing buttons on the sign it will tell them the quickest route to their destination.

The hospital's reception staff and volunteers do help with directions but when they are off duty people have to fend for themselves by following a bewildering array of signs and notice-boards.

It is particularly difficult for people who have sight problems.

Thousands of pounds has been spent trying to make things easier with colour co-ordinated departments and lines painted on the floor but people have continued to have difficulties.

Brighton Health Care NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, is in talks with patient groups to finalise the design of the sign before it is installed.

If successful, up to 15 similar signs could be installed at main entrances and communal areas at all hospitals run by the trust.

These include the Sussex Eye Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children.

Each sign costs about £3,000 to install and programme.