28424A PETITION signed by nearly 700 angry residents has been presented as a protest against withdrawal of hospital services.

The 686 names, mainly from Bradford on Avon, were collected in the Mace store and Post Office in Winsley Road and handed to acting chief executive of Wiltshire's primary care trust, Stephen Golledge, by the hospital's League of Friends on Tuesday.

Mr John Cottle, chairman of Bradford Hospital League of Friends, said: "Originally Bradford on Avon had two hospitals. With a growing population and an increasingly elderly population it now has half a hospital.

"People are concerned about health care in Brad-ford on Avon, which over the years is diminishing."

The Saturday out-of- hours emergency service at Bradford's Health Centre closed this week, meaning all emergency care will now be provided out of town. The casualty department closed in September 2000.

Each Saturday between 9am and 10am about 20 people dropped in to the emergency service at the Health Centre. Now they will have to go to Trowbridge or Melksham.

In April this year the seven-bed upstairs ward at Bradford's grade II listed hospital was closed after it was found to be unsafe for elderly patients.

There is planning permission for a new building on the hospital site but it expires at the end of this year and Mr Cottle thinks a new building is now unlikely.

Mr Golledge has set up a project group to seek new ideas on the health care facilities required for the people of Bradford.

He said: "The PCT is reviewing all care services. As part of the review in Bradford on Avon it is establishing a steering group that will include health centre professionals, representatives from the town council and members of the public.

"This group will work to redesign health services for the people of Bradford on Avon."

The Saturday out-of- hours service at the Health Centre is now closed. Patients needing emergency care should call (01225) 711359.