There are fears Sussex hospitals could be stretched to breaking point this winter after it was revealed the county has one of the highest number of bed-blockers in England.

Figures from Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority (SRA) show there were 475 patients waiting to leave hospitals across both counties in the middle of last month.

About half of these were at hospitals in East and West Sussex.

The figure is an improvement on more than 500 recorded in July but health bosses say it is still high enough to cause severe problems with winter looming.

Surrey and Sussex accounts for about nine per cent of the national total of delayed discharges.

About ten per cent of acute beds in Surrey and Sussex are blocked, more than double the national average of 4.7 per cent.

This figure only includes delayed hospital transfers. It is believed there are another 100 patients waiting to leave community hospital beds.

One of the main problems is a shortage of care and nursing home places, which means patients are having to stay where they are until a place can be found.

Primary care trusts, hospitals, community trusts and social services have been working together to tackle the problem.

The figure has dropped slightly as a result but busy areas such as Brighton and Hove, which has a large population of elderly people, still have problems.

Brighton and Hove City Council has been given £1.5 million government cash to develop its Knoll House resource centre.

It will be used to provide intermediate care for the elderly, who could be discharged from hospital but need extra nursing support before going home. The centre is expected to provide 24 beds.