Maternity units across Sussex are today celebrating receiving a cut of £100 million in Government cash.

The extra money will improve and modernise maternity units in Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and Rother and Worthing.

It is the largest single Government investment to improve maternity care, giving units in Brighton £844,592, Eastbourne £274,800, Hastings and Rother £215,500 and Worthing £311,000.

Horsham and Crawley Hospitals will receive a cut of £546,960 awarded to Surrey and Sussex Health Care Trust.

Some of the funding will provide facilities for bereaved parents as more than 5,000 babies a year are stillborn or die in the first few days after birth.

Government health bosses today said the money would ensure women in every area of Sussex could make choices about their maternity care and childbirth.

Health minister Jacqui Smith said: "Many women say they receive excellent care in pregnancy but there are still too many variations.

"This money will enable more than 200 units to improve their services."

The Department of Health and individual maternity units have been consulting pregnant women, midwives and parents to determine how the money should be spent.

The Government announced 2,000 extra midwives will be recruited in the next five years and standards will be drawn up for children's health and maternity services.