Campaigners are planning to deluge health secretary Frank Dobson with letters in a last-ditch bid to save Oxfordshire's community hospital beds.

The Save Oxfordshire's Community Hospitals pressure group is organising a "Deluge Dobson Day" - getting people to sign letters against closures.

Oxfordshire Health Auth- ority wants to close Burford and Watlington community hospitals and axe other beds across the county, to save £1.5m.

The closures will mean the loss of 52 out of 304 community hospital beds.

Oxfordshire Community Health Council has appealed to Frank Dobson against the closures and his final decision is expected at any time.

The Deluge Dobson Day will be on Saturday, October 17, at Burford, Watlington, Wallingford, Chipping Norton, Witney, Abingdon and Wantage. Copies of letters outlining key arguments against the closures will be available between 9am and 12 noon for people to sign.

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