The fight to save emergency hospital services in West Sussex is spreading across the county.

Medical staff from Worthing have backed the campaign to keep all accident and emergency care at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Supporters of the Worthing and Southlands Hospital Club have signed Argus petitions against the possible downgrading of accident and emergency care at the Princess Royal.

They have been signing up as they put their names to a separate petition to save their social club, which is threatened with closure because health chiefs want to turn it into a creche.

Brian Hall, a life member of the social club, said many he knew felt strongly that Haywards Heath needed a complete accident and emergency department.

He said several hundred people had already signed both petitions.

He said: "We had the same issues many years ago when they closed accident and emergency at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham. A town like Haywards Heath needs that sort of service.

"I am an ex-ambulance officer with 20 years in the service and I know how vital it is to have good accident and emergency care. The distance involved is definitely the difference between life and death."

Health bosses have outlined potential hospital changes across central Sussex, which include the possible downgrading of A&E at the Princess Royal to an emergency treatment centre.

This would mean many casualties, including road crash victims, would be taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, which is already stretched.

Services need to be reorganised to centralise care so medical specialties can flourish.

A public meeting about possible changes to the Princess Royal will be held tonight at 8pm at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath.