MORE than 1,000 people have petitioned against 'ludicrous' cutbacks at the Victoria Infirmiary, Northwich (VIN).

Three volunteers at the hospital have launched the petition which they hope will halt the proposed closure of the inpatients ward at the hospital.

They took action after Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust announced plans for an expansion of outpatient and ambulatory care services to create an 'outpatients centre of excellence', at the expense of in-patient services at the Winnington Hill hospital.

Health chiefs say cutbacks are needed as it would cost up to £3m to modernise the inpatient unit to meet modern health and safety standards.

Jean Birch from Grosvenor Avenue, Hartford, June Chapman from Moss Road, Winnington, and Rita Watson from Church Road, Northwich, say they are delighted with the response from hospital users.

Mrs Chapman said: 'Within a few days we had more than 1,000 signatures. We are definitely giving it our best shot. We don't want to see it closed - it's ludicrous.'

Mrs Birch added: 'The town has been so supportive - nobody I have come across has said they won't sign the petition.

'Everyone is so shocked we could be losing such a well run unit and the staff at the hospital are devastated. They really, really care and patients are looked after so well.'