Ref. 12433/1CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units from closure have been taking to the streets to collect more than 2,000 signatures for the Gazette's petition.

The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is currently consulting on proposals to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units and move birthing and inpatient post natal care to Trowbridge and Chippenham maternity units.

The trust claims both units are underused and costly to run but have not yet released detailed information about how much would be saved in closing the units.

Members of DASH2 (Devizes Action to Save our Hospital) were out on Saturday in Devizes town centre and collected 700 signatures.

Swindon mothers Liz Austin and Sarah Newman, who are campaigning to save Malmesbury's unit, were also out on Saturday.

Mrs Austin and members of Swindon National Childbirth Trust were at the Broad Green Centre in Swindon.

Mrs Newman, of Old Town, Swindon, was petitioning in Malmesbury.

So far they have both collected more than 800 signatures for the Gazette's petition.

Forms signed by 500 people have also been handed into the Gazette.

Mrs Austin, of Abbey Meads, said: "A lot of women did not know about Malmesbury Maternity Unit and when we told them about it they say they would like the option of using it."

Mrs Newman, who gave birth to her first child at Malmesbury and wants to give birth to her second child due in July, at Malmesbury, said: "I would urge women who haven't signed the petition to do so and to turn up at the council meeting in Malmesbury Town Hall on Wednesday March 17 at 7pm at which the PCT will be present to talk about its proposals."

Campaigning is also under way in Wootton Bassett where mother-of-two Kerrie Dixon, a town and district councillor, is spearheading it.

Campaigners in Swindon have set up a website which explains what facilities Malmesbury Maternity Unit has and what people can do to fight the proposals. The website address is www.savemalmesburymaternityunit.co.uk

A public meeting is being held at the Bear Hotel in Devizes on Saturday at 3pm to speak about Devizes Maternity Unit. Devizes MP Michael Ancram will be present and guest speaker will be Richard Hallett, a UK trustee of the National Childbirth Trust.

Gazette petition forms are available to sign in shops in Malmesbury, Devizes, Wootton Bassett and the Gazette's offices in Devizes, Chippenham and Marlborough.

Anyone wanting forms can call Jill Crooks at the Gazette on (01380) 723501 or pop into the Gazette offices for forms.

The petition will be taken to the Houses of Parliament in London on March 29. A free coach is taking campaigners to London and there are some spaces left. Call Jill Crooks if you are interested in going.