Thousands of people have thrown their support behind a drive to build a hospital.

The Campaign for Pease Pottage Hospital now has more than 10,000 supporters and the number is continuing to grow.

Those behind the proposals say the multi-million pound scheme will only work if it gets the backing of the north Sussex community.

The campaign was launched last year by Horsham MP Francis Maude and the leaders of West Sussex County, Crawley borough and Horsham district councils.

The hospital would cost up to £200 million to build and have the capacity for about 500 beds.

It would be an NHS hospital although some private services would be available and would include an accident and emergency department, an intensive care unit, maternity and paediatrics.

The hospital would be paid for partly by the councils using money generated by housing developments and partly through private treatment.

Crawley Hospital has lost its A&E, maternity and childrenís inpatient services, with patients now travelling to Redhill in Surrey for treatment.

More than 400 customers at a chemist's in West Green, Crawley, have shown their support by signing copies of the campaign's petition, which were handed to county council leader Henry Smith.

Pensioner Stevie Hobbs, 77, gave the chemist copies of petition to put in the store and was delighted with the response.

She said: "It goes to show just how much support there is locally for this hospital. People hate the idea of having to go all the way to Redhill and face long waits and delays there."

The drive comes as hospitals in Worthing, Chichester and Haywards Heath face the threat of losing vital services like Crawley has when West Sussex Primary Care Trust launches a public consultation later this year.

The population in north Sussex is expected to grow by 45,000 in the next ten years and campaigners say this will add to the demand for full hospital services.

Similar proposals for a £272 million hospital at Pease Pottage were thrown out in 2002 because they were too expensive but campaigners believe they have come up with a solution that will work.

More details about the campaign can be found at www.c4pph.org.