Scores of people turned out to have their say on plans for a new hospital and doctor's surgery in Edenbridge.

The two-hour meeting, at Rickards Hall, was part of the launch of a public consultation on the future of health services in the town - with four options on the table.

It comes in response to issues with the existing GP surgery and community hospital, which are almost 100 years old.

The crowd heard from representatives of NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and the Edenbridge Medical Practice.

Ian Ayres, accountable officer for the CCG, outlined the preferred option of all three organisations - a combined hospital and surgery in a new building on a new site. It would have space for extra services including day care beds, but no inpatient beds.

Members of the public raised concerns about alternatives for people needing inpatient beds, parking for visitors and over the potential new sites being in the green belt.

Two are being considered, both of land south of Four Elms Road.

Other options include demolishing the existing hospital, off Mill Hill, and rebuilding it in the same place.

There were also questions about timescales, budgets and design.

Dr Bob Bowes, chair of NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are really grateful for the great turnout at the meeting, and the quality of the discussion.

"We have done a lot of work to get to a position where we are clear about our preferred option and we were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with people why we are recommending it and to understand how it might impact them.

"We will take note of everything said at public meetings but we would also like as many people as possible to let us have their feedback."

Further public meetings will be held at the Eden Centre in Four Elms Road from 4pm to 5pm on Monday, March 13; WI Hall in Station Road from 11.30am to 1pm on Saturday, March 25 and Edenbridge Leisure Centre in Stangrove Park from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday, April 25.

The consultation will run until April 26, with a decision is expected in the summer.

For the full list of options, or to respond to the plans, click here.