Pioneering treatment for women is being carried out at a Sussex hospital.

Staff at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham are among only a handful in England to use microwaves to treat patients with heavy periods.

A microwave probe is used to heat up and destroy the lining of the uterus and, for many women, this takes away the need for a hysterectomy.

The new technique is the latest in a series of new developments that have been carried out by consultant gynaecologist Richard Pyper.

Since 1992, Mr Pyper has been developing the use of hysteroscopes to diagnose and treat women.

These are special telescopes which are inserted into the uterus so the doctor can see the cause of the problem and recommend a course of treatment.

For the last three years, it has been possible to do this without anaesthetic in the outpatient clinic at Southlands.

The new treatment using microwaves was brought in earlier this year and is mainly used to treat women with heavy periods.

Because the treatment is still so new and staff are getting used to it, the procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic.

Mr Pyper is hoping that eventually it will be done under local anaesthetic, which will mean more women will be dealt with more quickly.

Eight out of ten women who have the treatment find their periods become very light or stop all together.

Mr Pyper said: "It is really good news that in the majority of cases we can treat this condition without any longer resorting to major surgery.

"Years ago, without this technology, some women may have had major surgery like a hysterectomy when it might not have been necessary.

"A lot of women have been very pleased with the results. It is not going to be a suitable treatment for everyone but it has been effective.

"It is really aimed at women who suffer from problems each month and who have decided their family is complete and they do not want another child.

"As the uterus lining is destroyed, it means they will no longer be able to have children.

"The new treatment is closely linked with the hysteroscope service. Women tend to come to that clinic first where they can be examined and then, if we think it will be suitable, the microwave treatment can be carried out.

"It works very well and there is a high chance of success. Carrying out a hysterectomy nowadays is really only done as a last resort."

An extra outpatient clinic at Southlands will be opened to cope with the increase in demand.