Maidstone’s Week Street was reverberating with shouts of “Save the NHS” this morning as a group of Labour supporters urged shoppers to sign a petition calling on the Government to do more for the ailing service.

It was part of a national day of action by the Labour Party across the country.

There seemed to be considerable sympathy for the cause from passers-by in Maidstone, with around 400 signatures collected in the first 90 minutes alone.

Activist Dan Wilkinson said: “The NHS is in the worst position it’s been in for 20 years, with the budget deficit now running at £2.45billion."

“We want to see the National Health Service - which is the greatest Socialist policy ever adopted by this country - properly funded and an end to privatisation.”

Mr Wilkinson said the stall was getting a lot of public support. He said: “In my three years of campaigning, this has been the most successful event. Everyone values the NHS.”