A weekly newspaper series is set to continue its fight to safeguard “life-saving” health services on its patch after a private company withdrew its interest in providing them.

The Worthing Herald, Gazette and Observer series is seeking government assurance that services, including A&E, at hospitals in Chichester and Worthing will not be affected by Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group’s plans to outsource some of them.

A 22,000 signature petition is set to be delivered by the series to the Department of Health next Friday, while preferred bidder BUPA has revealed this week it has withdrawn its interest in providing musculoskeletal (MSK) services in the area.

The campaign is also seeking a guarantee that the contract will not impact negatively on the deliverance of MSK services to its readers.

Reporter and campaign co-ordinator Dan Cain said: “We have had a phenomenal response from our readers.

“The A&E departments at Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital [in Chichester] are of vital importance to local communities and provide a crucial and, at times, life-saving service.

“Their importance is reflected in the passion shown by our readers and their desire to ensure the services remain in place.”

A joint statement issued on behalf of campaigners from Don’t Cut Us Out, Health Alert and Coastal West Sussex 38degrees, reads: “The people won. Supported by a magnificent local press they made their voices heard.”

The CCG has expressed “disappointment” but “acceptance” over BUPA’s decision.