CAMPAIGNERS in Berkeley are preparing themselves for the long fight to try and save Berkeley Hospital from closure.

The hospital's League of Friends has this week launched a campaign to save their much-loved hospital. The campaign will include banners, posters, a template letter for people to send to Gloucestershire NHS officials in protest and a potential coach trip to Westminster.

"We are doing the letter because if you send a petition they only consider that one letter. But if everyone sends a separate letter then everyone will get a reply," said Barbara Whitwam Davis, Secretary of the League of Friends of Berkeley Hospital.

The launch of the League of Friend's campaign comes only days before the first public consultation meeting is due to be held to discuss health cut proposals for the Berkeley Vale area.

In a consultation document circulating the county health bosses are proposing to close Berkeley Hospital, the Sandpits clinic in Dursley and Symn Lane Clinic in Wotton-under-Edge but in return build a brand new health facility in Dursley.

Berkeley's League of Friends are pleading for everyone to get involved in the consultation and protest against proposals they do not agree with.

Mrs Whitwam Davis said: "This isn't just for Berkeley people. I joined because my first husband was nursed there. Berkeley hospital has helped so many people from across the area we all need to fight this."

Richard James, chief executive of Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust, said: "We're very excited by the possibilities for local healthcare for the people of Berkeley, Dursley, Cam and Wotton.

"Our GPs and other clinical staff, including staff at Berkeley Hospital, have been developing these plans for some time now and believe the new health campus will be a positive step."

Consultation meetings about health cuts are being held at Cattle Country, Berkeley on Tuesday, July 11 (1pm and 5pm), Rednock School, Dursley on Friday, July 28 (1pm and 5pm) and Katharine Lady Berkeley's School, Wotton-under-Edge (10am).

Copies of the full consultation document are available from the Citizen's Advice Bureau and by visiting, www.healthingloucestershire.nhs.uk To get a copy of the template letter to send in response to the consultation call 01453 890679.