CONSERVATIVES who developed an alternative proposal to the proposed closure of Worcesershire's ambulance control centre claim they were snubbed when they went to hand in the document.

Sir Michael Spicer MP turned up at the Bransford Emergency Operations Centre yesterday, with fellow Conservatives Robin Walker and Harriet Baldwin, to deliver their proposal.

However, no-one was available to receive it.

"We had been told that the duty manager would be available to receive the document from us," said Sir Michael. "However, when it came to it there was no-one available and we had to just hand it in at reception."

Murray MacGregor, spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "The duty manager is there to ensure a safe 999 service is operating and if it was not possible for that person to come out then they the Conservatives have to understand that."

Meanwhile the controversial plans to close the Bransford centre and transfer calls to Brierley Hill or Stafford have been backed by health officials.

Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has given the trust its support to reduce the number of Emergency Operations Centres from five to three.

PCT spokesman Janet Ferguson said the decision had been taken after careful consideration."However, the PCT will be watching performance levels to make sure that Worcestershire residents do not lose out," she said.

Both Herefordshire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and PCT have also supported the ambulance trust's plans.

However, the proposals, which would will see both Bransford and Shrewsbury's centres closed, were not backed by Worcestershire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committe.

Coun John Campion, chairman of the committee, said members had welcomed the trust's aims to improve services and upgrade technology.

"However, the majority of the scrutiny committee has some concerns about the trust's proposed configuration and we have asked that further consideration be given to retaining a control room in Worcestershire," he said.

Murray MacGregor, spokesman for the ambulance trust, said: "We have listened carefully to the Worcestershire health overview and scrutiny committee and we will look to continue working with them over the coming weeks and months to provide the level of reassurance that they require. The trust has not taken a decision and will take on board their views about examining all options raised as part of the consultation."

BLOB: On Monday the Worcester News will hand the ambulance trust its petition with 2,092 names calling for the Bransford control room to remain open.