PROTESTERS in Pendle took to the streets to march against plans which could see services cut from Burnley General Hospital.

On Saturday about 500 people, led by the borough's MP Gordon Prentice, marched through Nelson town centre against plans which could see intensive care and high dependency beds transferred to Blackburn.

The proposal is one of five options being put forward by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust as part of review of its services.

Following the march, organised by Pendle Labour Party and trade union Unison, there was a rally in the Silverman Hall.

Speakers included Mr Prentice, Azhar Ali former chairman of the defunct Burnley NHS Trust, and Pendle council leader Alan Davies. The rally was also attended by Burnley MP Kitty Ussher.

Consultation on plans for the hospitals will take place in the New Year.

Mr Prentice said: "There is huge anxiety about these proposals, but there is very little to go on other than fevered speculation based on the outline of options.

"This issue is going to be on fast boil for months. It must be terribly destabilising for hospital staff and acutely worrying for patients."