DEVIZES people are being urged to stick together and fight the threat of closure hanging over the town's hospital.

Anger is growing in the town that Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is considering closing it and replacing it with a nursing home and health centre with physiotherapy and day hospital.

People believe the only viable option of keeping a hospital in the town is to sell off the existing hospital site, in Commercial Road, and build a new hospital in Green Lane a proposal which the trust has put on hold due to its need to tackle its debts.

More than 140 people attended a public meeting on Tuesday night at the Corn Exchange called by the Devizes Guardians.

Secretary Judy Rose said: "We must convince the trust our town needs a fair share of health provision which means retaining and improving Devizes Hospital."

Mother Angie Tinker of Bulkington, who has been campaigning to save the maternity unit said: "I can't let it shut.

"I want another baby and other mums I have spoken to want babies.

"We should have a choice where we give birth and receive ante natal care."

Lavington GP Dr James Flood said: "We need to work together and ask for equal access and equal share of resource in Devizes."

Trust chief executive Barbara Smith will be at two public meetings next week and people are urged to turn out in force to voice their opinions.

A meeting organised by the town council is on Tuesday at the Corn Exchange at 7.45pm.

The trust is also hosting two public meetings on Friday April 4, at 9.30am and 7pm, in the Corn Exchange.

People who are interested in forming an action group should contact Devizes mayor Catherine Brown on (01380) 722160.