A new boss has been appointed to an organisation responsible for the health of thousands of people in East Sussex.

Gina Brocklehurst has been named the chief executive of Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Mrs Brocklehurst is chief executive of West of Cornwall PCT and will take up her new post in January.

PCT chairman Mary Colato said: "I am delighted that Gina will be joining us.

"She was chosen from a very competitive field and will provide the leadership capability to take us forward."

Eastbourne Downs PCT covers Eastbourne, Polegate, Alfriston, Hailsham, Pevensey and Seaford.

It is responsible for the health of people in the area, for tackling health inequalities and for bringing health and social care closer together.

It holds the NHS budget, steers the work of GPs and practice teams, provides a range of health services and makes sure hospital services are in place to meet local people's needs.