More than 26,000 people have said a resounding NO to plans to close and downgrade Oxfordshire community hospitals and more joining them every day.

The joint petitions from Wallingford, Wantage, Abingdon, Didcot and Henley will be handed over to health officials on Thursday, June 22, in Wantage at a meeting of the South East and South West Oxfordshire Primary Care Trusts.

Current thinking among the health authorities is that Henley and Wantage hospitals should close, Didcot should become a maternity unit, Abingdon should be downgraded to a day care centre and that Wallingford should be expanded to a 60-bed unit.

Lynda Atkins, from Wallingford, who started the joint petition when she was mayor, said: "This has shown how angry people are that their much valued hospitals are being messed about.

"It shows people's real concerns and it means the Primary Care Trusts are going to have to work very hard to convince us that their planned changes are for the good of the community.

"In Wallingford, we had people queueing up to sign and we were told by just about everyone that local hospitals are a vital part of local life.

"We are fighting to keep all our hospitals open with all the necessary beds and services to look after the local community."

Wantage mayor Julia Reynolds said: "I feel very upbeat about it and we're not downhearted. This will give a strong message to the PCTs."

Henley mayor Barry Wood said local feeling would have to be carefully considered by the health authorities.

Didcot mayor Mike McNulty said: "There's been a huge response, community hospitals are important to people."

Abingdon mayor Peter Green said: "No-one wants to see the hospital close its doors. We are sending a clear message to the PCTs telling them not to meddle with our hospitals."

A PCTs spokesman said: "We are willing to listen to what people have to say. But carrying on as we have in the past is not a reasonable option.

"We need people to be constructive and come up with ideas which will help us rather than just sticking with things as they have always been."