MORE than 4,000 people have now got behind the Kent Messenger's campaign urging health bosses to reconsider proposals to change specialist services in Maidstone.

The Say No To Hospital Cutbacks campaign and petition were launched in response to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust's announcement of plans which could mean Maidstone Hospital loses services for complicated births, children who need to stay in hospital and serious broken bones. In only two weeks, 4,035 people have signed a petition calling for health chiefs to think again about the proposals, which are now out to public consultation.

Hundreds of petitions have flooded into our offices, many from readers who have collected their friends' and neighbours' signatures, while others have sent in their copies of the petition printed in their newspaper. There are also copies of the petition available to sign around the town, including at our offices in 6 & 7 Middle Row, Maidstone.

There are also petitions at the following Maidstone newsagents: Sainsbury's, Romney Place; Gibbs, Penenden Heath; Gamley's, The Mall Chequers; McColls, Bank Street; WH Smith, Week Street; More's, The Mall Chequers; Teston post office; Leybourne Little Market and the Post Office in More's, Martin's Square, Larkfield.

• Your copy of the petition Page 9