Two hospitals in West Sussex have been awarded almost half a million pounds to cut waiting lists.

Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust, has been given the money by the Government to help meet national targets.

The Government has promised that by March 31 next year, the maximum wait for non-emergency surgery will not exceed 12 months.

Worthing Hospital in Lyndhurst Road, and Southlands in Shoreham, will use the money to treat more patients by increasing the number of doctors and how many people each doctor sees.

Three projects have also been earmarked for special action.

These are hip and knee replacement operations, cataracts and orthopaedic day surgery procedures and laparoscopic surgical procedures.

Roger Greene, chief executive, said: "The investment will obviously help us but there are other things we need to address like staff, beds and post operation care."