Hospital bosses are making contingency plans in the event of war in Iraq.

Worthing Hospital does not at this stage expect to take casualties flown in from the Middle East but, bearing in mind the town's proximity to Gatwick, it could happen if a substantial number of troops are wounded.

Managers believe they are more likely to receive civilian patients from the London area who have had to make way for servicemen.

But they are unable to say at this stage what impact this "decanting" may have on local waiting lists.