A LAST-minute intervention by Wychavon District Council could allow Pershore to keep its hospital.

The council's health scrutiny team has reacted to public concern by producing two alternatives to the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust proposal.

The PCT wants to sell Pershore Cottage Hospital to help pay off its debts and modernise services.

But the scrutiny team is proposing to either:

n rebuild the existing hospital on the same site and provide a new health centre at the civic centre, or:

n build a new hospital and health centre at the civic centre site.

The first option would involve buying both the hospital and health centre sites from the PCT.

It would then build a two-storey hospital,lease it back to the PCT, and develop a new health centre on the civic centre site.

The proposal would give the PCT some of the money it needs, as well as giving the people of Pershore what they want. The council could also use the current health centre site for housing or parking.

The second option would mean building a two-storey hospital as well as a new health centre at the civic centre site.

This would also give the PCT the money it needs, and would allow it to integrate its services. Again, the council would be able to use the current health centre site for housing or parking.

Wychavon councillor and Pershore mayor Richard Hampton said he thought the scrutiny team's proposals would be best for everyone.

"I don't know how the PCT can avoid it," he said. "It seems like a breakthrough."

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer also welcomed the proposals.

"I think anything which helps to keep the hospital viable and alive is well worth considering," he said.

"It should be looked at very carefully."