Almost 300 people were turned away from a packed meeting at Didcot called by NHS managers to discuss a proposed overhaul of hospital services, including possible closure of some community hospitals in the county.

Mary Wicks, chief executive of South East Oxfordshire and South West Oxfordshire primary care trusts, admitted they were overwhelmed by the attendance at the public consultation meetings.

The trusts had booked a small committee room for the meeting at the Civic Hall, where all 90 seats were quickly taken. And when it became clear that there would not be enough space for people to stand, Mrs Wicks told told an angry audience that they would have to consider calling extra meetings.

Town mayor Dr David Giaretta said: "At least the heat generated by yesterday's meeting showed the strength of feeling in Didcot and the surrounding villages about the possible threat to close our hospital."