MORE than 1.000 residents have added their signatures to the Evening News' petition demanding the Prime Minister's action to save eight planned GP surgeries.

We reported two weeks ago that we had received 550 signatures from anxious readers after launching the "Save our Surgeries" petition a month ago.

And in the last two weeks alone that figure has more than doubled to 1,100.

Patients are still queuing to demand that money is found to let the new or expanded surgeries to go ahead as planned.

Debbie Weston, practice manager at Haresfield House Surgery, in Bath Road, Worcester - which was to be re-housed in a new multi-million pound centre - thanked the Evening News for fighting their corner.

"A lot of our patients are upset about what's happening and are very willing to sign the petition," she added.

The eight planned surgeries were awaiting government cash to get the go-ahead, and were thought to be very much in the pipeline.

However, the Department of Health changed its funding rules, which means it is likely the schemes will be the victim of a cash shortfall of millions of pounds.

Without Government intervention, scores of county communities will lose out on new surgeries that promised 21st Century, state-of-the-art health care.

The changes have also cast a shadow over the future of two proposed new community hospitals in Malvern and Pershore.

Our petition demands Mr Blair ensures the projects receive the funding required.

Alan Davies, joint proprietor of Hanley Swan Village Stores, near Malvern, sent in 110 of his customer's signatures.

"Everyone is all for the petition," he said.

"It's sad it has had to come to this as these premises were promised.

"People feel worried, let down and disappointed by what's happened and we hope the petition will be a success."

Mr Davies said the existing Upton Surgery, one of the premises earmarked for development, was used by many of his customers.

"It's almost impossible to park at the surgery and it means residents in the area have trouble parking in their own street," he said.

"The surgery is being stretched to its limits and needs to be changed to meet the demands of a changing society."

The petition can be signed in the reception of the Evening News office in Hylton Road, Worcester, or at the city's Hop Market.