Hospital staff have been rewarded for their outstanding achievements, hard work and dedication.

The two hospital porters, a consultant, an operating theatre manager and a nursing sister each receive the Manley Bird Achievement Award, which will be presented to them at the Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust's ninth annual presentation night tomorrow.

A certificate and small present will be handed to them by trust chairman Stuart Heatherington, who has paid tribute to their services.

The winners of the award, named after a former chairman of Worthing Health Authority, are Loraine Clark, Frank Hammett, Nick Jarrett, Debbie Kenward, Tim Copper and Dr Tony Roques.

Loraine, a phlebotomy supervisor at Worthing Hospital, was described as "exceptionally skilled at reassuring and calming any worried and stressed patient".

Frank, a porter at Worthing, "transfers patients to and from the theatre and is known for his cheerful manner, making patients laugh and helping to allay their fears about surgery".

Nick, clinical manager of theatres at Worthing, co-ordinates with "tireless enthusiasm" the running of the operating theatre, which treats 12,000 patients each year.

Debbie, a sister in the eye day surgery unit at Worthing, "has exceptional inter-personal skills and her efforts make working on the unit a pleasure".

Tim, a porter at Southlands in Shoreham, "is the first person patients see when they come in for their operation and makes considerable efforts to give reassurance".

Tony, consultant haematologist at Worthing, has worked for the hospitals for 22 years and is due to retire in September next year.

He was instrumental in helping to develop the nurse-led chemotherapy service, avoiding the need for patients to travel to Brighton.

Long-service awards have been presented to the following staff: 30 years - Keith Goldsack, Linda Keats, Patricia Scott, Avril Terry, Margaret Holloway, Sandra Rose, Patricia Oakley, John Fry, Ann Mitchell. 35 years - Pat Latham, Mary Boswell.