ABOUT 50 Wythall residents turned up to a public meeting with hospital trust chiefs and Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride on Saturday.

They were there to try to ensure the Alexandra Hospital's accident and emergency department does not become a casualty in the proposed £20 million cuts to the budget.

Conservative Miss Kirkbride said: "It was an excellent meeting in which we discussed the problems in detail.

''Worcestershire NHS Acute Hospitals Trust chairman Michael O'Riordan and chief executive John Rostill attended and gave assurances the views of the people of Wythall would be taken into consideration when final decisions were made."

Mrs Kirkbride said proposals to cut the A&E department and other vital services would mean great hardship for villagers as there is no bus service to Worcester, where they would be expected to go if the hospital is downgraded.

A candlelight vigil is due to take place at the hospital on December 15 from 4pm and residents are also being urged to join a protest march on January 7.