CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the Devizes Maternity Unit from closure are invited to a public meeting on Saturday.

DASH2 (Devizes Action to Save Our Hospital) has organised the meeting at The Bear Hotel, Devizes, at 3pm, and Devizes MP Michael Ancram will be there to listen to people's views.

Guest speaker Richard Hallett, a UK trustee of the National Childbirth Trust, will speak of the success that he and others have had in overturning plans to close units elsewhere in the country.

The meeting comes as the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust consults on proposals to close Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units and transfer birthing and in-patient post natal facilities to Trowbridge and Chippenham hospitals.

Mayor Paula Winchcombe said: "We want to present an alternative proposal to the PCT to retain Devizes Maternity Unit. Richard Hallett will explain what happened elsewhere in the country to save maternity units from closure and because there is a precedent for reversing a decision we are hopeful we can save the unit from closure.

"People should also write to the PCT and let it know of their objections to the proposals to close the units."