Staff from Wantage Hospital took to the town's streets on Saturday to campaign against its closure.

Wantage mayor Jenny Hannaby, centre, joins the nurses' protest

Nursing and auxiliary staff were out in force handing out leaflets explaining how members of the public could help.

The event was organised in response to primary care trust plans under which community hospitals in south Oxfordshire could close.

Out of Abingdon, Didcot, Henley, and Wallingford, Wantage is most likely to lose its hospital. All except Witney's hospital are under threat.

The south east and south west Oxfordshire trusts published the report in conjunction with social services as part of a pre-consultation exercise.

They said the shake-up aimed to improve services and efficiency.

Hospital auxiliary worker Angie Rushton said staff were concerned about the plans and wanted to encourage as many people as possible to write to the trusts and attend public meetings.

She said: "It's important that people speak out. It is still early days, but the more support, the better."

Last week, town councillors pledged £1,000 to set up a committee to lead a campaign against closure.

The committee's first meeting will take place on Thursday at 7.30pm at King Alfred's Community and Sports College's East Site.