A BID has been launched to rally residents to get behind a campaign to keep a special baby care unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Letters are being circulated in Bishop Auckland outlining proposed changes at the new £65m hospital that would see the unit move to Darlington.

Other concerns listed in the letter being handed out by campaigners are the loss of medical input on the maternity unit, the loss of medical input on the children's ward after 9pm sending emergency admissions during the evening to Darlington.

The plans have been circulated for consultation by County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust and a series of public meetings are planned throughout May.

But campaigners are worried that nobody will attend the meetings because they do not realise the impact that the changes might have on the community.

The letter states: "Having built up an excellent reputation over many years in such a widespread rural area, public support is essential in order to ensure that we do not lose vital services for our women and future generations.''

Valerie Brydon, chief officer for South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council, said she had concerns.

She urged people to attend the meeting: "It's important that the public come along to the meetings and ask questions and have those questions answered.

"If people are very strongly opposed to this then it's the CHC's responsibility to put those views forward.''

A spokesperson for the health trust said that it felt public opinion was important and that is why it had called the meetings.

All the meetings start at 7pm. In Wear Valley there will be meetings at Spennymoor Town Hall on May 1, and Bishop Auckland Masonic Hall, on May 16