Hospital bosses ordered to clampdown on spending are finding themselves in a dilemma over the demand for beds.

The Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath plans to use as few spare beds for emergencies as possible to cut costs.

The move was agreed because of the nursing and other costs of keeping beds open.

But so many patients have flooded into the hospital that doctors have had no choice but to use the beds.

After overspending last year, the Trust can go only £1.5 million over budget by next April under strict limits imposed by NHS regional bosses.

Now managers are faced with the possibility of having to cope with winter pressures for beds which could squeeze budgets even more.

A report on the financial performance of Mid Sussex NHS Trust says that up to the start of last month the trust had a budget deficit of £760,000 only five months into the current financial year.

It means that the trust is about £130,000 over its target.

And managers have been asked to make sure they are saving money wherever possible under what is called a recovery plan.

But the board running the trust has been warned that until the number of patients starts to fall nursing costs will stay overspent.

Director of Finance Chris Williams told the board of the Mid Sussex NHS Trust: "Overall the budgetary pressure are being dealt with.

"But there are some very real issues that cannot easily be resolved, without seriously affecting patient services."

And he added: "Further measures are being sought but given the pressure on beds this is difficult."

The recent arrival of 37 Filipino nurses is expected to reduce the extra costs incurred of using nurses on overtime and agency staff.

As part of the cost-cutting measures an almost total freeze has been put on the use of agency staff.