PERSHORE'S outgoing mayor Richard Hampton has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair urging him to make sure Pershore gets a new cottage hospital as planned.

The future of the scheme was thrown into doubt by the withdrawal of funds from a proposed doctor's surgery on the same site at Wychavon's Civic Centre. The district council had planned to build the dual facility and then rent it back to the health authorities before it was announced that government money might not be available.

"I told him how angry Pershore people would be if this was struck out and we had no opportunity to talk about it," Mr Hampton told the annual town meeting.

"Many relatives of Pershore people have been looked after carefully in Pershore Cottage Hospital and it would be remembered for a very long time if this was not replaced."

Giving his annual report at the meeting last Thursday, Mr Hampton pointed to the success of the new town hall, the popularity of the new walkway next to it, the foundation of a tourist information centre, the replacement of the town's Christmas lights and the improvements to St Andrew's Gardens. "It has been a good year for the town," he said.

Mr Hampton will soon hand his chains of office to councillor Chris Parsons, who is also the sub officer of Pershore Fire Station.