Town councillors have called on NHS chiefs to drop controversial changes to casualty services in Mid Sussex.

Members of Burgess Hill Town Council came out against proposed changes at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.

The most controversial suggestion from the health bosses is to send seriously ill or injured patients to Brighton instead of Haywards Heath.

A review board will consider any comments received by the end of next week before deciding what proposals it puts forward for formal consultation.

But the councillors want the review stopped before it gets that far. John Merrill, former council chairman, said of the suggestions: "I would like to throw them all out and find some way to put together a proper plan for the area."

Vice-chairman Anne Jones, who is raising a petition over the changes, said of the review: "Ditch it. Throw it away."

Council chairman Gill Balsdon said: "I am pleased to see this is only a discussion document. We have discussed it. We don't like it."

Heather Ross, county and town councillor, said: "I don't think any of the frameworks put forward are right for the area. It's Hobson's choice.

"We have got a perfectly good hospital at the Princess Royal. We should be maximising that." Councillors were sceptical about the discussion process and referred to the strong campaign to prevent major changes at Crawley Hospital, which eventually failed.

Councillor Alan Ranger told the meeting: "All around the county we are hearing what is happening and people have been unsuccessful. But that does not mean we will be unsuccessful."

Argus petition forms should be sent to district offices or our head office at Hollingbury this week if possible. All comments have to be received by the review panel by Friday of next week.