An appeal has been launched to raise £100,000 for life-saving equipment at a hospital.

The Nigel Porter Breast Cancer Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Edward Street, Brighton, needs the money for a new ultrasound machine.

The equipment could help prevent critical delays to diagnoses for up to 8,000 women seen every year at the unit.

Demand is so high for the breast cancer services that there is usually a waiting list for scans by the unit's one ultrasound machine.

This means some women referred to the unit with suspected breast cancer by their GPs have to wait up to two weeks for a scan.

Prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death and the Friends of the Nigel Porter Unit want to raise £100,000 for the equipment.

Gary Rubin, senior consultant in radiology and director of the screening programme, said: "This type of equipment would make a huge difference to our service.

"With breast cancer, or any cancer, the sooner the diagnosis is made the better.

"We would be very grateful for any monies raised."

Jean Nehls, of Shirley Drive, founded the Friends after she was successfully treated for breast cancer there six years ago.

She said: "It is estimated that one in nine women will have it in some form in their life.

"The first few weeks can be crucial - cancer has a very rapid development.

"My appeal is to everyone in Brighton and Hove, Peacehaven, Newhaven, Lewes, Seaford and the surrounding areas.

"A donation from every family of £10 would enable us to provide this equipment within weeks."

If you wish to donate, send a cheque payable to the Friends of the Nigel Porter Unit to Laurin Jenner at the Nigel Porter Unit, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5BE or to Jean Nehls at 23a Shirley Drive, Hove BN3 6NQ.