A second breast cancer surgeon has been employed in a bid to improve a breast cancer unit and help it meet Government targets.

Charles Zammit has joined Andrew Yelland at the Nigel Porter Unit for Breast Care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

His appointment comes almost a year after the retirement of consultant breast surgeon Bob Gumpert.

Last September it was revealed only 49.3 per cent of patients were being seen by a consultant within two weeks of referral by a GP, compared with 100 per cent set out in Government standards. Brighton Health Care NHS Trust said it was disappointed with its performance but it had been working to improve the situation.

Health bosses blamed the failure to meet the target partly on the retirement of part-time breast surgeon Mr Gumpert last May. They also said an increase in referrals had added to the problem.

Despite the failure to meet the 14-day target, the unit has one of the best success rates for patient survival.

It has become a subject of controversy since health bosses announced plans to close it and open a new unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. They said it needed more space for expansion to meet Government targets.

More than 30,000 people signed The Argus petition against the proposal to move the unit, which is still under discussion.

Campaigners against the move blame the trust for the failure to meet targets, saying Mr Gumpert should have been replaced sooner.

Trust chief executive Stuart Welling said in October the delay in appointing another surgeon was the result of a poor response to the job advert.

He said at the time: "After Mr Gumpert's departure, a review of the surgery service led to a review of the post. It was decided a full-time position was needed.

"Approval of all aspects of the new position was secured and the post had been advertised."