A hospice has received dozens of letters of support and donations since The Argus revealed it faces axing staff because of a major drop in income.

Managers of St Barnabas Hospice in Worthing say they have been touched by the response from the public.

Chief executive Hugh Lowson said: "The number of donations and letters of support we have received has gone up over the past couple of weeks. Last week a policeman came in and donated £10. He said it wasn't much but knew that we could use it."

The Argus exclusively revealed last month how up to 18 full-time equivalent posts could be lost at the hospice in Columbia Drive, Durrington.

Managers have blamed a drop in legacies and donations and the poor performance of its stock market investments, which has seen about 20 per cent wiped off their value in a year.

The hospice has cared for more than 10,000 cancer patients since opening in 1973.

Only about seven per cent of its annual £5 million running costs are state-funded, the rest is raised by fund-raising, legacies and donations.

Mr Lowson said posters would be going up in the hospice's 12 charity shops in the next few days outlining the hospice's predicament and giving information about how people can make a donation.

He said: "It is a very difficult time for staff but by getting them involved in the consultation process we are giving everyone a chance to have their say."

As well as staff, patients are also coming to terms with news of the proposed changes and job losses.

Day hospice user Joe Burke, 76, said: "I was appalled when I heard there might be job cuts. What we need to do is get the message out about what the hospice is all about and how important it is.

"I dreaded the word hospice before coming here. It gave me a shiver down my spine but unless you are here you don't know how amazing it is."

Consultation with staff about the restructuring was continuing this week.

Bosses at the hospice insist it will continue to provide inpatient beds, day hospice care, emotional and bereavement support, chaplaincy and welfare advice.