Organisers of an appeal to build a hospice for terminally-ill children are desperately seeking a site after a land deal collapsed.

The Leo House appeal needs to secure at least two acres to start planning the project.

Chairman Brian Slater said: "We have been looking at all sorts of places and we hoped we had found something.

"I can't give full details but it was just to the north of Ditchling, which would have been ideal.

"It would be unfair on the people who own the land to say why that fell through. What we are looking for now is a couple of acres where we can build Leo House.

"Ideally, we are looking in the Brighton, Newhaven and Ditchling triangle, but would consider anywhere just outside that.

"If anyone has some land they would consider giving us for a reasonable sum, we would be very interested."

The hospice would care for children across Sussex and the South-East. The appeal has so far raised £173,000 towards its £3 million target.

Fund-raisers have planned a series of projects to raise money for the hospice this year.

Details are also being finalised for a scheme to recycle mobile phones after a company agreed to pay the charity for unwanted models.

Organisers plan an annual sunflower contest in which children would buy seeds from Leo House and compete to grow the tallest bloom.

And there will be a sponsored swim for teams of six at the Prince Regent leisure centre, Brighton, on February 25.

For details and sponsorship forms, call 01273 506607.