CAMPAIGNERS fighting the closure of in-patient facilities at a leukaemia unit have collected more than 1,300 signatures in an effort to stop the plans.

The protestors are due to hand the petition to Darlington MP Alan Milburn, who this week has broken his silence about the controversial health plans.

Earlier this year, officials at County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust decided to centralise in-patient haematology services in south Durham at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

The move would also mean the six-bed in-patient unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital would be downgraded to an out-patient unit.

In the long-term, it could lead to facilities at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, being transferred to the seven-bed unit at Bishop Auckland.

All haematology patients from County Durham, including patients with leukaemia, would receive in-patient treatment at Bishop Auckland.

Outpatient and day care services would remain at all three hospitals.

Supporters of the 1980s fundraising campaign opposed the plans when they first emerged and were among the protestors.

The group was in High Row, Darlington, on Saturday, when they collected more than 1,300 signatures against the plans.

Protestors say the decision was not given a full public airing. They have promised to fight on to save the unit, which was set up ten years ago when £300,000 was raised through the Teardrop Appeal.

Councillor Marian Swift, chairwoman of the council's health scrutiny committee, said the committee had backed the decision following a presentation by chief executive John Saxby.

She said: "I wish the support group every luck with their petition.

"Because of the sound reasons and the legislation we have to abide by, no other decision could come about. We reluctantly supported the transfer to Bishop Auckland."

Councillor Heather Scott said: "The scrutiny committee has certain guidelines that we have to adhere to in coming to our decision.

"While we accept that services have got to be centralised, we still feel that it should be in Darlington.

"I've written to Alan Milburn and got no response, just an acknowledgement. He's the town's MP and is saying nothing."

Mr Milburn said: "Coun Scott has got herself in a ludicrous position by arguing for something and voting against it.

"As she's perfectly aware, I raised concerns with Mr Saxby. I will continue to press him to ensure that local patients will be able to easily access haematology services."