Work has started on a multi-million pound hospital expansion.

Builders moved on to the Mill View Hospital site in Hove to start on the £4.7 million scheme.

The extension will provide single rooms with en-suite facilities for 35 patients in two main ward areas.

It will also include an area with five beds for patients who have agreed to voluntary in-patient treatment for drug and alcohol problems.

At the moment all these patients are being cared for at nearby Westbourne Hospital in New Church Road.

Mill View opened in 1998 and provides in-patient, out-patient and day patient care for adults with mental health problems.

It is owned by South Downs Health NHS Trust which provides community, mental health and rehabilitation to 300,000 people in the Brighton, Hove and Lewes areas.

Trust executive director Sarah Hood said: "This new extension to Mill View is part of the trust's plans to replace outdated temporary accommodation so that we can look after patients in purpose-built surroundings."

Students from the University of Brighton have been involved in designing new features including a decorative ceramic mural for one of the patients' lounges.

The new building is expected to open in summer 2002.