The consultation into the controversial stroke services proposal comes to a close tonight following an extension.

The plans to create three hyper acute stroke units across the county - meaning the closure of Margate’s QEQM’s stroke unit among others - has caused a stir in the district.

One group which has been particularly vocal is Save Our NHS in Kent (SONIK), which has organised rallies and campaigns.

The group has been joined by a number of stroke survivors and their relatives along the way - including Peter Dunne, of Birchington.

Last summer, he was rushed to QEQM following a stroke and was successfully treated.

When the 75-year-old was asked what he thought could have happened if he had to go to Ashford’s William Harvey, as is proposed by the plans, he laughed and said: “That is a joke on its own.

“That would have cost lives, that journey. It’s a busy road at the best of times.”

Mr Dunne feels Thanet would be particularly affected because it is a retirement area.

“Lots of elderly people have strokes,” he added.

“If they have to travel that time they are going to lose their lives, definitely. It’s an absolutely stupid idea.”

A SONIK spokesman said: “The Kent and Medway Sustainability & Transformation Partnership recently announced that the consultation period would be extended by an extra week, until Friday, April 20.

“The STP say this is because of time lost through bad weather, but we believe it is the result of the increasing public pressure they’re facing. Our stroke unit, the only one in the whole of Thanet, must stay open.”

Thanet’s NHS Clinical Commissioning Group has urged those living in the district to give their views.

Dr David Hargroves, clinical lead for stroke medicine at the east Kent hospitals trust, said: There are currently no hyper acute stroke units in Kent and Medway. “At the moment, some people do not get the right treatment fast enough, particularly overnight and at weekends.

“Centralising urgent stroke care in three excellent hyper acute stroke units would change all that.

“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so their views are heard.”

Since the consultation’s launch at the start of February, more than 2,500 people have given their views.

To take part before the deadline at midnight, click here