THE overnight closure of Warminster's casualty service has sparked fears it is part of a bigger plan to shut the town's hospital.

The minor injuries unit at Warminster Hospital is due to close daily between midnight and 8am from Monday because health bosses said they were unable to recruit enough staff.

West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has also announced the equivalent service in Melksham is closing at the same time, forcing residents to travel to Trowbridge for treatment.

But Warminster councillor John Syme fears this could be part of a hidden plan for wider cutbacks in the town.

He said the decision on the minor injuries unit was taken 'very, very secretly.'

"I don't trust them at all. I think it's just an excuse to shut down this hospital," he said.

"We should condemn their actions on behalf of the people of Warminster.

"They are robbing Peter to pay Paul."

The town council has unanimously branded the decision to close the unit at night 'a disgrace'.

Members say they were not told in enough time to mount significant opposition before the news was announced.

Town clerk Alan Richardson said: "We were not consulted as stake holders at all at the meeting where this was decided on."

Mayor Joan Main said: "Those who live in the villages who need to get to A & E have a hard enough job getting to Warminster at night, let alone Trowbridge.

"This will mean more ambulances are called out, which will be very costly."

Cllrs Martin Baker and Les Rose have been asked to get residents' views on the decision. The pair plan to devise a petition and hope to rally support against the closure.

Cllr Baker said he hoped to see as big a response as the recent pensioners' petitions against high council tax.

He said: "It is a disgusting situation when you've got a town of this size and people have to go to the RUH or Trowbridge for treatment."

After the petition the town council plans to invite PCT officials to a public meeting to discuss the unit's future.

A spokesman for the PCT said: "The closure of the MIU overnight has taken place after proper public consultation and is about using our staff most effectively and providing an integrated out-of-hours service for west Wiltshire from next spring."