Almost 100 jobs are to be created to meet the growing call for temporary nurses and care assistants.

Abacus Care, Kent and Sussex, is to create the posts during the next 12 months to meet demand in care homes and hospitals.

The agency, based in Crowborough, says it had 50 clients in Sussex and has received a huge increase in requests for staff.

Alan Whitfield, Abacus Care manager, said: "For two years since the franchise started, I have had enough staff to cover the shifts.

"Recently, we have had an increase in requests for nursing and residential home nursing staff.

"I believe there are a number of reasons for this.

"One is that there is an increasing shortage of good care people because there is less incentive to go into the profession.

"Another reason is the sheer demand. We have a major problem in this area because we have an elderly population."

Health workers believe the rise in demand for nursing and residential home staff is a result of Government policy.

They say the Government is pushing more elderly people into private care without giving private care businesses enough funding to cope.

As a result, homes have been forced to rely on temporary staff cover to avoid paying benefits or sick pay.

Abacus Care expects its bookings to double in the next year.

Staff being recruited would cover hospitals and residential care homes in Crawley, Redhill and Tunbridge Wells.

There are plans to expand its services to Eastbourne, Bexhill and Brighton.

The majority of the new jobs will be in Sussex, with some in Kent and Surrey.