THE row over the future of hospital services in Hartlepool continued last night after the Liberal Democrats launched a survey asking residents for their views.

Lib Dem shadow health spokeswoman Sarah Teather joined by-election candidate Jody Dunn for the launch of what the party is calling the NHS Inquiry in Hartlepool.

It aims to establish what people think about proposals to move some services from the town to the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, and to create a super hospital at Wynyard.

Labour officials ridiculed the move and reiterated a claim that their opponents are scaring people into believing services are at risk as a review is carried out into how best to provide them.

And a candidate who was at the forefront of a Save Our Hospital campaign attacked both Labour and the Lib Dems for joining the fight in a high-profile way only when the by-election was called.

Respect candidate John Bloom said: "You cannot trust either of those parties to fight for our hospital."

Labour said a new inquiry - announced this week after the man leading the original one indicated some decisions had been made before a report was published - would focus on protecting accident and emergency and maternity services. But Mrs Dunn said: "At a time when so much uncertainty surrounds the future of Hartlepool Hospital, this survey will give Hartlepool residents a genuine chance to express their views."

But a Labour spokesman said: "It is little wonder Jody Dunn has to ask what people think - coming from Darlington she will have no idea what people in Hartlepool feel.

"What this survey also shows is that the Lib Dems are having to hastily rethink their policy on the hospital after their scare campaign about closure failed and after the Government has announced a new inquiry."

Mrs Dunn said: "I have been falsely accused of raising an issue which doesn't exist and now there is an admission that it is an issue and there is a problem that needs to be dealt with. Too often, politicians think they know what is best for local people. I want to know what local people think of the state of the NHS locally.