Health bosses are considering adopting an old-fashioned nursing cadet scheme to boost recruitment.

A feasibility study has been launched into the scheme to cover Brighton and Hove.

If it gets the go-ahead, the system could be up and running next year.

Under the scheme, nursing cadets aged between 16 and 18 would be recruited on to a three year course, dividing their time between college and local NHS services.

This would include working at hospital wards at Royal Sussex County Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children and Brighton General.

It would also involve working in the community as part of South Downs Health district nursing facilities and at GP surgeries.

Wendy Dearing, organisational development manager at Brighton Health Care, said: "To date the results of the study are very encouraging "Young people don't always want to do A-levels so this way we are giving them work-based training instead.

"We are working closely with other organisations such as South Downs Health and the proposed merger with Mid Sussex NHS Trust next year means we are also in talks with staff at Princess Royal Hospital."

The move is part of an on-going campaign to encourage more people to take up nursing.

Brighton Health Care currently has about 169 vacancies out of about 1,365 posts.

Work on the project is being led by Brighton Health Care NHS Trust with other organisations, such as South Downs Health NHS Trust and the Brighton and Hove Primary Care Group, taking part.

Negotiations and discussions are still in progress but it is hoped the cadet scheme would be run with the support of Brighton College of Technology.