A Sussex hospital has closed its smoking room following accusations that it had become a drugs den.

Police advised bosses at Worthing Hospital to close the room in the east-wing following allegations two patients were dealing drugs from it.

Patients and visitors now have to smoke outside the hospital while staff investigate other ways of accommodating smokers.

The hospital has a policy of encouraging people not to smoke at all in the building and its grounds but recognises some patients and visitors will always want to light up.

A hospital spokesman said: "There have been a number of issues concerning patients' safety, including allegations that the room was being used for drug dealing.

"The trust board had no alternative but to close the smoking room.

"We are using this opportunity to carry out a review of the hospital's smoking policy and will be consulting widely with patients and staff over the next few weeks."

Both patients around whom the allegations of drug dealing centred have since been discharged from the hospital.

A police spokesman said: "We were told about the allegations by the hospital and we advised the room should be closed to prevent any further problems like this from developing."

Police have previously carried out raids in the town targeting dealers and are continuing to work on clearing up Worthing's drug problems.