A hospital was given an unexpected boost when a man walked in and gave £70,000 to its cardiac unit.

John Grey handed a cheque to staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, on Monday.

The money was a bequest left to the hospital by Mr Grey's uncle, Thomas Lucas, a former patient at the Royal Sussex.

Mr Lucas died in May, this year, at the age of 93 and left the proceeds of his house to charity.

Half has gone to the hospital and the rest to the British Diabetic Association.

Mr Grey said: "He was a monument to the NHS. He suffered from diabetes, had his finger amputated following an accident at work, suffered heart attacks and had two pacemakers fitted.

"Giving the money to the hospital will be a memorial to my uncle.

"He has probably outlived most of the people he knows and not many people came to his funeral.

"He always appreciated the help he got from the hospital. I am sure the hospital will put the money to good use."

Mr Lucas lived in Brighton all his life and was a keen Brighton and Hove Albion supporter.

He worked at a garage in St James' Street, where the Safeway's store is now, from the age of 12 until his retirement at 65.

Mr Grey said: "There were probably a lot of people driving around the town in cars he had helped to fix. It was a long time ago now but I'm sure there are some who may remember him.

"I hope this bequest will help mark the life of a man with a lot of character who had a great deal to give."

A hospital spokesman said: "The cardiac department is delighted with this generous bequest.

"We don't know what it will be spent on yet but we will work with Mr Grey to find a way of recognising this generosity in his uncle's name."