LEADERS of Wyre District Council have scrapped the idea of a legal challenge against the county health shake-up.

The authority will urge members not to pursue action through the courts over the health plan at a meeting later this month.

Its decision came after taking "extensive" legal advice on the health changes, which involves the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital.

Under the plans the accident and emergency department will be downgraded to a minor injuries unit and in-patient services will close this month.

Health Concern councillor Jane Paterson said: "The decision not to proceed with legal action does not diminish the council's fears or concerns about acute health care services in Wyre Forest and South Shropshire.

"Our campaign to bring back in-patient care and a comprehensive accident and emergency unit will continue."

The council felt any legal action would be met with total resistance from Worcester-shire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Worcester-shire Health Authority and the Health Sec-retary and delays caused by legal action could jeopardise patients.

Trust chairman Harold Musgrove welcomed the decision.

He said: "We welcome the news the council has given up the idea of legal action and has realised any delay in implementing the service changes at Kidderminster Hospital would only result in Wyre Forest residents being put unnecessarily at risk.

"This is because in-patient services cannot be sustained during this winter and clinical advice was immediate action had to be taken and further delays could not be accepted."

District council chief executive Walter Delin could not confirm the cost of the legal advice.

He said it would be disclosed in a report to go to the full council meeting on Wednes-day, September 20.