TO mark the year-long campaign to save the maternity units in Devizes and Malmesbury, the Gazette is holding a birthday party.

In conjunction with DASH2 (Devizes Action to Save Our Hospital) the Gazette is holding a party for children born at both the maternity units and for children who had post natal care at the units.

Mothers and their children are invited to the free party at the Cheese Hall in the Devizes Town Hall in St John's Street, on Thursday, February 19 from 2pm to 3.30pm.

Devizes Mayor Paula Winchcombe and the town council have donated the use of the Cheese Hall for the party.

The event will be staged 12 months after the hugely successful maternity protest march organised by mums and the Gazette.

This saw 500 parents and children march through the centre of Devizes to deliver petitions signed by more than 10,000 people against the closure of both Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units.

The Gazette and DASH2 are urging residents to continue to fight the proposals by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to close the units and transfer births and post natal care to Trowbridge and Chippenham maternity units.

Coun Winchcombe, chairman of DASH2, said: "The fight to save Devizes Maternity Unit is not over. As we enter the last phase of consultation and a year since mothers motivated the march, we want to celebrate the fact that babies are still being born in Devizes Maternity Unit and the unit is open.

"We would like to see mothers and their children at the party."

There will be refreshments at the party and children's entertainment.

The Gazette has written to every member of the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust inviting them to attend the party.

Three months' public consultation on the proposals to close the maternity units is due to begin tomorrow when the trust hopes to release its consultation document. The Gazette urges residents to write letters of protest to the trust.

Public meetings will be held in Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough and other towns from 10am to noon. The dates of the meetings are being finalised.

The trust will make the final decision on whether to close the two maternity units on May 25.

If you would like to attend the party either e-mail dashmaternity campaign@hotmail.com or call reporter Jill Crooks on (01380) 723501.