Campaigners have pledged to back a new hospital boss if he joins their battle to save its casualty service.

Stefan Cantore, 41, is already aware of public fury over proposals to downgrade accident and emergency at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

He is currently deputy to chief executive Roger Greene at Mid Sussex NHS Trust, which runs the hospital.

Mr Greene, who leaves in the New Year, has defended the proposed changes at the Princess Royal at a series of stormy meetings in Mid Sussex.

Now opponents of the scheme hope Mr Cantore will back their campaign.

Anne Jones, leader of the Princess Royal Action Group, said: "We do know that Mr Cantore cares about the Princess Royal.

"He has the support of the public in ensuring it remains a centre of excellence. If he is working for the same causes as we are, we will welcome his appointment."

The downgrade plan - which health chiefs say is only a suggestion at this stage - would mean patients needing emergency treatment being sent to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton instead of the Princess Royal.

But many local people protested furiously that the extra miles could mean the difference between life and death.

And ambulance chiefs have not yet supported the suggested changes.

Health bosses say some people might benefit from being treated by specialist surgeons at Brighton instead of general surgeons at Haywards Heath.

More than 17,000 people signed our Save Our A & E petition to fight the proposal. A further 37,000 signed a separate Princess Royal Action Group petition.

Both were handed over by Dame Vera Lynn, of Ditchling.

Mr Cantore said: "Developing new ways of providing quality health care to benefit patients in the communities we serve will be a top priority for me."