Health bosses have unveiled their vision for a new Littlehampton hospital.

The multi-million pound facility would cater for the residents of Littlehampton, Rustington and the surrounding villages.

Health officials at Adur, Arun and Worthing Primary Care Trust are proposing to bulldoze the existing hospital in Fitzalan Road to make way for the £6.3 million development. It would also replace Zachary Merton Hospital in Rustington.

If health officials get the go-ahead, building work would start in spring 2005 and the first patients could be using the hospital two years later.

It is hoped the new hospital would help stop bed blocking and improve patient care. It would have between 40 and 44 beds and offer an enhanced community team of district nurses and therapists.

The trust says facilities at both existing hospitals are outdated and cannot offer patients the best care environment.

By proposing to locate the new hospital in Littlehampton, it could link up with the existing health centre to offer services under one roof.

The artist's impression of the new hospital was revealed to residents at Littlehampton annual town meeting but health chiefs stressed it was only an initial picture of how the building could look.

Trust chief executive Steve Phoenix said he wanted local people to come up with a name.

He told the meeting: "The name has generated a fair amount of debate. It's an important thing to get right because it helps define the hospital and the name will stay for a long time."

Residents say it is essential any new hospital continues to have a minor injuries unit but the health officials say it is too early to say whether one can be included.

Two months' public consultation on the proposals is underway and the responses will be considered by the trust on May 29. The final decision will be made by the Strategic Health Authority.