CHILDREN and old folk led 2,500 people surrounding an Oxfordshire hospital in protest at possible closure.

The crowd marched through the centre of Wallingford before circling the community hospital in Reading Road for a minute's silence.

Hospital manager Lesley Knight told the demonstrators: "I and the staff of the hospital are absolutely committed to providing patient care in the Wallingford area."

Health service managers meet on Wednesday to agree public consultation on possible closures of Burford, Wallingford and Watlington hospitals.

Wallingford Mayor Pat Granados earlier spoke from the balcony of the town hall before heading the procession through the town.

Deric Tonge, 71, of Barncroft, Wallingford, pushed his 98-year-old mum Rhoda in a wheelchair. She recuperated at Wallingford Hospital last year after a fall.

He said: "My mother has also gone into the hospital for respite care about three times a year for 12 years to allow us a break or holiday."

Mum of twins Pauline Bradshaw, 32, of Blackstone Road, Wallingford, said she received "absolutely wonderful care" after the two-year-olds' birth.

"And my mother has attended Wallingford for clinic treatment for her eyes," she added.

Goff Payne, of Station Road, Wallingford, took along his pet dog Brady carrying a message saying he could receive treatment at the local vet's and adding: "Please let my owners have the same opportunity."

Oxfordshire Community Health Trust has been ordered to save £1.5m over three years by the county's health authority.

Miss Granados said if Wallingford was closed, people would have to travel to Oxford.

"It can take one-and-a-half hours to get there and involve a change of buses - not much fun of you have a broken ankle.

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