A crowd of 3,000 people gathered in the centre of Evesham on Sunday to send a message to local health chiefs.

It was an unequivocal message and it was chanted over and over - No cuts, Save Our Hospital.

They listened carefully as speaker after speaker spoke in support of what has been dubbed the Battle of Evesham 2005.

After the politicians came the doctors, former patients and staff, all with the same message: hands off.

While the turnout was excellent, response to the petition launched by the Journal five weeks ago today has been even more resounding. More than 20,000 people have now signed and sheets are still being handed in on an almost daily basis.

And then there are the letters - nearly 350 of them were being posted off this week to health secretary Patricia Hewitt calling for her to intervene.

They demanded action to prevent the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust closing down two wards and curtailing services in a third as part of a cost-cutting

Yesterday MP Peter Luff used Prime Ministers Questions to raise the proposed cuts in the House of Commons. Unhappy with what he saw as party points scoring, he later wrote an angry letter to him.

The PCT has said little over the past month. It has contradicted protesters who claim the cuts at Evesham are designed to save £4m. The financial implication is around £1.8m, they stressed.

Attention is now being focussed on Wychavon Civic Centre where the PCT will meet in just under two weeks' time on Wednesday, August 3.

Those who attended Sunday's rally were urged to go along to demonstrate the strength of local feeling. It could well be standing room only.

Anyone still collecting signatures on petition forms is reminded they should be returned to the Journal office in Briar Close by Friday next week.