Easington Council has thrown its weight behind the growing campaign to save Hartlepool University Hospital.

Backing the anti-closure moves, the council has warned that the proposal would have a profound effect on the health and care of its residents.

Its decision to oppose the shut-down comes in the wake of a number of proposals in a current health services evaluation entitled the Tees Review.

Among the various recommendations under consideration are the closure of Hartlepool University and North Tees Hospitals, with both being replaced with a large new hospital.

Rob Crute, Blackhall ward councillor, who recently attended a meeting of the Save Our Hospital Campaign told the council: "The campaigners are looking for wider support and asked if Easington as an authority would support them.''

He said that after next year patients will be able to choose where they receive hospital treatment, which would have an effect on the whole area.

Easington council members agreed to support the anti-closure campaign and, in a special resolution, confirmed their commitment to working in partnership with the relevant agencies to provide and ensure primary and community health care facilities within the district.

The council believes this can only be achieved by maintaining the present acute facilities at the University Hospital at Hartlepool.

The council's decision drew a response from the County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority.

A spokeswoman said: "No decision has been taken about the future of the hospital. The Tees Review is looking at the whole range of services provided for people living north of the Tees. However, it has become clear that the current pattern of services are not sustainable, which is why County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, Hartlepool, Easington and North Tees Primary Care Trusts and representatives from local authorities have been working together to involve local people in the debate about the future of those services.'