CAMPAIGNERS are urging people to continue the fight to stop Malmesbury Maternity Unit from closing as latest figures show the number of births at the units has already surpassed last year's total.

Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust decided at its board meeting on Tuesday that the unit should close in April 2004 with birthing and post natal in-patient facilities transferring to Chippenham Maternity Unit, leaving an antenatal clinic in Malmesbury.

A final decision will be made by the board in April following three months of public consultation starting in January.

Juliana Beardsmore of Malmesbury National Childbirth Trust, told the Gazette: "The number of births at Malmesbury Maternity Unit so far this year is 103. Last year there were 93 births at the unit and we still have another month of this year to go. Bookings by pregnant women for the first three months of next year are also up.

"This proves that there are women who want to use the unit and I think there are more women who would book at the unit if they knew about it. The unit is viable and our message to mothers is to continue with their bookings and any women who are interested in booking at the unit should ring it and talk to the staff."

About 45 people including mothers and maternity unit staff from Malmesbury and Devizes went to the trust meeting on Tuesday, held in Devizes.

Phil Day, director of community services at the trust, said closing Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units would save £250,000 a year.

He said that on average only four of the ten beds at Malmesbury and Devizes (each have five beds) were in use at any one time.