THE Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has arranged an extra consultation meeting on its proposals to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units.

After hearing from mothers in Swindon who are fighting to keep Malmesbury Maternity Unit open, the trust has decided to hold a consultation meeting in Wootton Bassett.

This will be held on Monday April 19 at the Catholic Church Hall in High Street, from 10am to 12noon.

A crche will be provided for which people have to book places by calling (01380) 736012.

Jenny Edwards, the trust's head of patient and public involvement, said: "We do listen to what people are saying. We have heard women in Swindon who have said they would like to use Malmesbury Maternity Unit and we thought by holding a consultation meeting in Wootton Bassett we could hear the views of more people."

Wootton Bassett town and district councillor Kerrie Dixon, who is collecting signatures for the Gazette's petition to save both Malmesbury and Devizes maternity units, welcomed the extra meeting.

Coun Dixon, a mother of two, said: "I'm pleased the PCT is putting on a consultation meeting in Wootton Bassett.

"It shows that they are willing to listen to what local mothers are saying.

"I don't believe they were aware that Wootton Bassett would be so strongly supporting the campaign to retain the midwife led maternity units.

"The meeting will give the people of Wootton Bassett a chance to air their views."

The PCT has also arranged a consultation meeting on April 15 from 10am to 12 noon at the Civic Centre, Station Road, Wootton Bassett, to discuss proposed changes to consultant outpatient clinics at Malmesbury, Devizes and Chippenham hospitals.

l Local councils will discuss the PCT's proposals to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units at a series of meetings.

People are welcome to attend although may not be allowed to speak on the subject during the discussion.

Today: Wootton Rivers village hall 7pm, Pewsey local strategic partnership; Monday March 22, Kennet District Council offices, Devizes, 7pm, Devizes Community Area Forum; Thursday March 25, Tidworth College, 10.30am, Tidworth community area partnership; Wednesday April 7 Purton Village Hall, 7pm, North Wiltshire District Council area meeting; Friday April 16, Kennet District Council Offices, Devizes 2.30pm, Kennet and North Wiltshire health scrutiny panel; Monday April 19 Monkton Park, Chippenham 7pm, North Wiltshire District Council area meeting; Tuesday April 20 Calne Town Hall 7pm, North Wiltshire District Council area meeting.