A Hartlepool Mail campaign to protect patients and visitors who use the town's University Hospital is gathering pace.

Following an 18-month review of major health services within the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, a decision has been made to move major cancer services to Stockton - forcing more than 500 patients a year to travel for lifesaving operations.

The Mail's Save Our Services campaign calls on Health Secretary Alan Milburn to re-think plans to move vital cancer services from the town.

Since the campaign was launched readers have been quick to show their support, and so far almost 2,000 people have signed petitions or filled in one of the paper's coupons which will be passed on to Mr Milburn.

Many of Hartlepool's councillors have also backed the campaign - with 68 per cent of the town's 47 councillors saying that they are against the controversial shake-up of cancer treatment.

Liberal Democrat Coun Kevin Kelly said: "This will be very inconvenient for patients and their families who will have to travel to Stockton. It will add stress to what is already a stressful situation.

"I totally support the campaign to prevent this, but I think they've already made their mind up and I don't think they will budge."

Not all councillors have taken the same view and some believe the move will help be good for patients as the standard of treatment will improve.

Labour Coun Denis Waller said: "I think anyone with cancer wants the best possible treatment and combining the strengths of two hospitals can only improve the standard of treatment. It may be an unpopular view, but I think in the cold light of day, people will change their minds."