Video and pictures: Hundreds protest against threats to Telford Princess Royal Hospital
Hundreds of people turned out to protest against threats to health services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Many carried banners stating, "Say No to Cuts" and "NHS SOS Emergency No Closure PRH & A&E – Both A&Es Must Stay".
They were also cheers and chants of "Save Our NHS" as the march wove its way through the streets via Church Street, Vineyard Road and King Street before heading along Apley Avenue.
The event was organised after leaked papers revealed that the PRH could lose both its A&E department and Women and Children's Centre, after falling behind the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in a "non-financial appraisal".
It is thought that Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will be put forward as the preferred site to house Shropshire's only A&E instead.
Around 500 supporters took part in a rally ahead of the one-mile protest march from the town square to the hospital's gates.
But many said they were disappointed that Telford MP Lucy Allan and Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard did not attend.
Among the speakers to address the crowds before the march set off was retired GP Tony Robinson, of Ludlow, who began his career at Shrewsbury.
Mr Robinson said: "I qualified in Shrewsbury and in those days the Telford hospital did not exist. It took a long time to get patients from Telford to Shrewsbury then and I was hoping that I would never see that ever happening again.
"If someone has a heart attack or a stroke, or meningitis, or is injured in a road traffic accident where they be bleeding heavily then the time that is taken to get medical care is absolutely crucial to them living or dying. It is about life or death. We must fight and fight to retain the A&E and the women and children's unit."
Kate Halliday, of Defend Our NHS Shrewsbury, Telford & Wrekin, praised the supporters for attending, including some from Powys.
She said: "This is a fantastic turn out. We have called for this demonstration because of the appalling attempt to close down the A&E at the PRH. We feel this is unacceptable for the people of Telford & Wrekin. I live in Shrewsbury and this is also unacceptable for the people of Shrewsbury.
"We are here to say that we are not accepting this decision and we are going to fight it every step of the way."
Ms Halliday called on supporters across the region to sign the petitions that are being set up in communities and to check the group's website to sign up online.
Protestor Sarah Tomkins, 50, of Walk Road, Lawley, took part in the march because her grandson Oscar, aged four, was born at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital before the PRH women's centre was built two years ago.
Ms Tomkins said: "We decided to take part in the march because we want the facilities to stay in Telford. We are very disappointed that none of the MPs came at the end of the day the hospital is here for them as well."
John Addison, 71, of Broomfield Road, Admaston, said: "Our neighbour suffered a stroke last year. The ambulance was able to get him here quite quickly. They told him that if the hospital had not so close he probably would not have survived.
"So we're here to support the campaign. We don't want to see any of the services removed."
Lydia Taylor-Jenkins, a student from Wellington, was at the event with her friends Alison Hill, of Lawley, and Faith Hopkirk, of Apley, also 17.
"We need to defend our NHS because if we don't know one else will. We want Telford to have its own facilities and why we're here today. The march has had a really good turnout for an event that was organised so quickly."
Several shopkeepers and residents waved at the demonstrators as the marchers of all age groups passed peacefully through the town. While many passing motorists also tooted their horns in a show of support as the crowds arrived at the junction of Whitchurch Drive and Apley Avenue.
Mayor of Wellington, Councillor Phil Morris-Jones, said: "I am heartily behind the campaigners. I was one of those who fought for to get the PRH here in the first place all those years ago and it seems like we have had to fight ever since to retain it.
"The health service bosses always seem to want to put hospital services at Shrewsbury. I cannot understand the muddled thinking that lewd to £28m being spent on the Women and Children's Centre that opened two years ago and now they want to take it away. I don't think the Future Fit plan is fit for the work that it should be doing. We want to keep services not close them down."
Numerous members of Telford & Wrekin Council including the council leader Shaun Davies also joined in the march.
In December 2015 the authority launched its PRH 4 Me campaign, designed to allow people to show their support for the Telford hospital. It also took to social media to encourage as many people as possible to join in.
