A weekly newspaper has launched a front page bid to keep NHS cancer treatment services on its patch.

The Ayrshire Post is petitioning the Scottish government to intervene after plans were revealed to move treatment for main tumours from Ayr to Kilmarnock.

Patients in Ayr are currently able to receive such services at Ayr Hopsital’s Station 15 facility.

The campaign, called ‘Save station 15′, was launched on the Post’s front page last week, pictured.

In a piece launching the petition, editor Gary Fanning wrote: “Health chiefs have proposed to move local cancer treatment for main tumours from Ayr to Kilmarnock under a controversial shake-up of the service.

“They want doctors to treat cancer patients at Crosshouse Hospital, while all that would be left of the cancer facilities at Ayr would be nurses.

“We are calling on local MSP Jeane Freeman, whose ward covers Ayr Hospital and who is the Scottish Health Secretary, to intervene and stop these proposals.

“Station 15 is a vital part of Ayr Hospital. A local facility is needed to cope with the demand that one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.”