HUNDREDS of concerned readers have backed our SOS campaign to keep vital health services locally since we launched it in last week's paper.

Soon after the paper hit the streets last Wednesday the first of a daily flood of coupons and petition forms bearing the names of people who disagree with proposals to transfer services to Worcester, began to arrive at our High Street office.

And it was not only our post-bag that was bulging. Many called in person to drop coupons into our reception while many others phoned to say they wholeheartedly supported our stance.

Town MP Julie Kirkbride, who is fiercely opposed to any move to relocate important services including Accident and Emergency to Worcester or elsewhere, called the response 'astonishing.'

"This just shows the depth of public concern to what is a very serious issue," she said.

She too has had many letters from constituents who believe it is folly to downgrade the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch by moving many of its vital departments including emergency surgery, obstretrics, gynaecology and some cancer treatments to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Following the launch of our Save Our Services campaign last Wednesday our lead has been followed days later by another local newspaper - but the Advertiser/Messenger is the only local newspaper providing readers with an easy-to-fill-in campaign coupon

And Ms Kirkbride has agreed to take the Advertiser/Messenger coupons and petition forms, which are circulating in the town, and present them to Parliament.

"I urge those who plan to, but have not yet signed, to do so without delay so we can show the Government the strength of opposition to the cuts to services," she said.

The Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust claim the changes are simply 'possible options' necessary in order for it to slash £20m off next year's budget.

Among many callers have been staff at the Alex. One who did not wish to be named said: "If A and E is moved to Worcester there is no doubt people will die before they arrive because of the extra distance involved."

She claims some 48,000 A and E patients are seen at the

Alex every year while Worcester has 52,00 cases." Simple arithmetic shows Worcester will be unable to cope", she added.

A trust spokesman denied suggestions the proposals are already 'cut and dried.'

"People will have the chance to voice their opinions. We expect the pre-consultation phase to end in November and the formal consultation to begin in early December and last 12 weeks," he said.