People with multiple sclerosis, terminal cancer and serious mental illness may be stripped of their benefits under new government rules.

Letters will arrive on the doormats of 40,000 Sussex claimants next week ordering that their benefits are reassessed, despite accusations the new tests are too harsh.

Critics have warned the new 'well-note' system, designed to weed out claimants that can take on some form of employment, is being rushed out and trials have gone badly.

People with terminal cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS) and serious mental illnesses were deemed fit for work under pilots of the new tests, which are carried out by independent assessors.

Linda MacCallum Stewart, who has MS and volunteers for The Sussex MS Treatment Centre, in Southwick, said she had spoken to many MS sufferers who were confused by the new benefits system and worried their benefits will be stopped.

For full report see today's paper.