Hospital campaigner Barbara O'Brien has appeared in court charged with beating two girls.

O'Brien, 49, who is battling to stop Crawley Hospital from being downgraded, with vital services moved to East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, denied two allegations of assaulting the girls, aged ten and 11, when she appeared before magistrates in Crawley yesterday.

She is accused of beating the two girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on March 29 this year.

The case was adjourned until August 3 for a pre-trial review.

O'Brien, of Capricorn Close, Bewbush, was granted unconditional bail.