CAMPAIGNERS against planned cutbacks at Evesham Community Hospital took their concerns to Downing Street yesterday.

A delegation from the Save Our Hospital campaign presented Number 10 with the views of 30,000 people who are opposed to the cuts.

Among those present were mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, Evesham Mayor Councillor Frances Smith, Evesham and District Pensioners' Association chairman Fred Kaler and local GP Dr Neil Townshend.

Gerry Barnett, of the Worcester News' sister paper, the Evesham Journal, also attended the presentation, which came ahead of a crucial meeting of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust next month.

Mr Luff said afterwards: "What's interesting is that we are far from the only community hospital taking petitions to Downing Street and the Department of Health.

"A wider picture is emerging of community hospitals under threat the length and breadth of England.

"I hope this petition will ring the alarm bells even louder in Government circles about what's happening at local level to much-valued hospitals like Evesham."

The board of the PCT will decide on a course of action on Wednesday, October 5, after being presented with a report by chief executive Mike Ridley.

Mr Ridley has openly suggested the possibility of ward closures at the hospital.

The Government refuses to interfere with local decision-making, stressing that it has devolved power to set spending priorities to those on the ground.

The Prime Minister has also pointed out that the NHS in Worcestershire has had a "substantial extra increase in funding".