The future of Banbury's Horton Hospital could be threatened by changes to health area boundaries, the town's MP has warned.

Tony Baldry claims the hospital could lose up to 30 per cent of its patients if a proposal from David Sissling, chief executive of Northamptonshire Strategic Health Authority, goes ahead.

Mr Baldry says the proposed changes may alter the Horton's catchment area and force some South Northamptonsire residents, who traditionally look to Banbury as their centre, to use hospitals in Northampton.

The MP has written to Nick Relph, chief executive of the Thames Valley Health Authority and has promised to raise the matter in Parliament.

Mr Baldry said: "For centuries Banbury has been the market town for a significant number of Northamptonshire villages. GPs in South Northants have used the Horton as their local hospital and have always referred patients there.

"Thirty per cent of activity at the Horton comes from Northamptonshire.

"This issue is not just a matter of patient and GP choice, it's also about the survival of the Horton."

GPs and patients would fight the move, he said.

Mr Relph and Mr Sissling have been discussing boundary changes to Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust since early April.

Mr Sissling was not available for comment, but Ally Green, spokesman for Cherwell Vale PCT, said: "The future of the Horton is not dependent on the re-organisation of PCT boundaries.

"No decision on the boundaries has been made. A meeting will be held at the end of this month."

The number of patients going to the Horton from Northamptonshire was closer to 15 per cent, she said.