A decision that could pave the way for Didcot Hospital to be sold for housing has been described as "horrifying" by the town's mayor.

NHS managers admitted this week that hospital land in Didcot, Wallingford and Henley had been put forward as possible future housing sites as part of South Oxfordshire District Council's Local Plan process.

The South West and South East Oxfordshire NHS Primary Care Trusts also said the Abingdon and Wantage sites would be offered as potential housing sites for the Vale of White Horse District Council's Local Plan.

The PCTs insist there are no current plans to sell off any of the five hospitals and said the decision was taken to allow 'maximum flexibility' .

But Didcot mayor Mike McNulty said: "The whole idea of seeking this type of consent is horrifying.

"It is an indication to the local community that the PCTs have a plan and a strategy to close community hospitals in the future."

In a statement to the Oxford Mail, the PCTs said: "We have no current plans to sell any of the Oxfordshire community hospital sites, as changes are subject to proposals being developed and full public consultation taking place. With this in mind, it was decided that all of South Oxfordshire's sites be allocated for possible future housing use. This will give the PCTs maximum flexibility in the future, in case developing plans involve the sale of any part of any site."

South Oxfordshire District Council leader Ann Ducker said: "This council remains committed to ensuring that the people of south Oxfordshire have excellent healthcare services. Our stated position is that, until such time as we hear compelling arguments to the contrary, all of the community hospitals in the district should remain open.

"We have not yet heard such arguments."