The figures were released by the Conservative Party which said they showed Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust had been plagued by vermin across hospitals under its control.

Pest controllers have been called in 43 times in the last seven months to deal with mice in surgery, kitchens and a walk-in centre.

Hospital staff have called for help 170 times since January 2005, putting them in the top 50 of plagued health trusts in the country.

The roll-call of pests, which extend to wasp nests, 'biting insects', ants and cockroaches, were found in most areas of the trust, from kitchens, restaurants, children's nurseries and even in a maternity suite.

West Sussex County Council leader Henry Smith (Con, Pound Hill, Worth and Maidenbower) described the findings as a 'total scandal'.

A spokeswoman for Surrey and Sussex NHS Healthcare Trust said: "Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust does not have a pest control problem and staff work hard to ensure that buildings are clean and that patient safety is not compromised."

Full story in the Mid Sussex Times