EURO legal eagles are to preside over the fight to restore services to Kidderminster Hospital.

Campaigners against the downgrading have secured a case with the European Court of Human Rights.

But they face a race against time to gather more evidence to secure a hearing with judges.

Campaign organiser Louise Edginton said they had three weeks to gather as many case studies as possible to put before a court registrar.

The Worcestershire county councillor for Habberley and Blakebrook said: "We need to hear from people who have been affected in any way by the downgrading as soon as possible.

"It doesn't only have to be major trauma cases. It can be anything from children having to travel to Worcester with their x-rays to those who have suffered greatly as a consequence.

"We have been ignored by Worcestershire Health Authority and the Government. Maybe now we will see some justice in Europe.

"I would urge people to contact me. They must not feel their case is trivial or unimportant because they all count."

Mrs Edginton is banking on a Euro ruling to state services must be restored to Kidderminster.

She stressed the health authority would have to act on such a verdict.

Kidderminster Hospital was downgraded last year with the loss of a blue-light A&E and inpatient services.

Mrs Edginton has secured the case by citing the example of John Jones, whose fear of death if taken to Worcester, came true earlier this year.

Campaigners say the decision to downgrade Kidderminster and send thousands of patients to Worcester and Redditch was an infringement of human rights

Mr Jones's grave prophecy came true in February after he had pleaded with Prime Minister Tony Blair to stop the hospital downgrading.

Mr Jones, 69, who lived within five minutes of Kidderminster Hospital, owed his life to previously being treated at the site for a heart attack - but he feared he would die if taken to Worcester for emergency treatment.

However, in February, he arrived at Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester, 50 minutes after an ambulance was called to his home.

He died 20 minutes after arriving at the coronary care unit.

His grieving family vowed to carry on the fight to restore services to the hospital and fully back Mrs Edginton's campaign.

A registrar at the court of human rights will study the evidence before deciding whether to put the matter before judges for a hearing.

Anyone with examples can write to Mrs Edginton at The Quay Cottage, 7c Severnside North, Bewdley, DY12 2EE or call 01299 403858.