Women in West Sussex could face delays in vital tests because a breast cancer service cannot fill a vacancy.

For almost three years, West Sussex Breast Screening Unit has struggled to find a second radiologist to help analyse test results.

If the post is not filled within two years some women could face delays in having tests and getting results.

Government regulations extending the age limit for routine screenings from 64 to 70 come into force in 2004.

Staff at the unit are dealing with more than 20,000 screenings a year but they say they would not cope with the extra workload.

There is a critical shortage of radiologists in the UK and attracting one of them to work in the county has proved impossible.

It takes ten years to train as a consultant radiologist and they can earn about £55,000 a year.

Their job is to examine and analyse X-rays to check for abnormalities or signs of cancer.

Dr Linda Rockall is the only consultant radiologist working at the West Sussex unit, based at Worthing Hospital.

She said: "The problem is there are not enough radiologists being trained.

"The few that do can pick and choose where they go and what they do. Unfortunately breast cancer speciality is not seen as particularly glamorous.

"It is a lot of hard work and there is a lot of pressure involved.

"We have advertised for ages but the interest has been zero. It does not help that West Sussex is an expensive area to live."

Dr Rockall has managed to maintain services with the support of four radiographers, responsible for carrying out the tests.

In East Sussex, about 30,000 breast cancer screenings a year are carried out by the Nigel Porter Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.