A protest against a possible closure of clinics at Deal Hospital is gaining strength as almost 1,000 people have signed the petition, launched 10 days ago.

Former nurse June Hobbs, 79, of Mill Hill, worked on the wards at the London Road hospital as part of her training and returned when fully qualified.

She was so angry when she heard clinics could be moved to bigger hospitals in east Kent that she started her petition, not only collecting signatures but also asking people to write to the East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust.

More shops and business now have copies of the petition to sign, including the East Kent Mercury office at 13 Queen Street, Deal.

Mrs Hobbs said: "I have seen pages and pages of signatures, but I do keep stipulating that it is important for people as upset as me to write to the foundation trust.

"Discussions about the future of the clinics must be made with the public and I cannot see the logic of moving them from Deal Hospital."

* For the full story see the East Kent Mercury, October 25.