THE launch this week of the website by Evesham Technology marked a big step forward in the Journal-backed Save Our Hospital campaign.

The Evesham Community Hospital Action Group under the leadership of the mayor, Councillor Frances Smith, who is also chairman of The Friends of the Community Hospital, has swung into action and is organising a major town-centre rally on Sunday, July 17.

The website www.evesham.com/soh has been designed by Dr Neil Townshend and he has done a front page with links to the proposals for The Willows, Bredon Ward and Izod Ward with explanations as to why the Worcestershire PCT suggested savings are flawed.

"We are encouraging everyone to write to the SOH Campaign at the Journal and their letters will be forwarded to the health minister Patricia Hewitt," Dr Townshend said.

Evesham Technology is also producing posters, car stickers and business cards.

When available, the posters can be collected from Evesham Technology shop, GP surgeries and the Journal's High Street shop.

Car stickers, as soon as they are available, will be distributed from various outlets and Dr Townshend said: "We are very pleased to having the backing of staff at both Tesco and Morrison for this."

A briefing meeting to put people in the picture of what is proposed at the hospital and what the Action Group is doing to try and stop ward closures will be held at the Public Hall, Evesham, on Friday, July 1, at 7pm.

"This is an important event for the public.

"We would like everyone interested to come along,"

Dr Townshend said. "By then we shall have details of our rally which will take place in the Market Square at 12 noon on Sunday, July 17."