Health chiefs have backed plans for a new health centre in Bicester - but campaigners say it will not be big enough.

At a meeting today, Alan Webb, director of commissioning for Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust, said: "We are committed to delivering our plans, which comprise a state-of-the-art primary care centre offering a wide range of services and 12 beds - either within or next to the primary care centre or elsewhere in the town."

Save Our Community Hospital campaign leader councillor Les Sibley agreed it was a step forward but said the town needed a minimum of 30 beds to cope with demand.

He said: "We need a lot more beds than they are advocating. However, they did say they were willing to get some sort of flexible agreement with a bed provider if the demand for more beds is required - and I think it will be."

Today's event at the Littlebury Hotel in King's End was called to keep residents up to date with plans to replace the town's out-of-date 12-bed cottage hospital.

Campaigners have been fighting for a 30-bed community hospital, promised to them by the Government 10 years ago. However, the PCT wants to replace the old hospital with a primary care centre.

Mr Webb added: "While we all acknowledge that Bicester Hospital desperately needs replacing, it is not viable or desirable to replace like with like."