KENDAL town centre was transformed on Saturday, as an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people took to the streets in support of the Helme Chase Maternity Unit.

The size of the good-natured march made an impact on many people, including MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Collins, who described it as "perhaps the biggest demonstration in Kendal's history."

The evening before, around 120 people had turned up for a public meeting organised by health watchdog body South Cumbria Community Health Council, to gauge opinion, and get answers from health chiefs before CHC members respond to the public consultation on Helme Chase.

Health reporter Michaela Robinson-Tate recounts some of the highlights of both events, and records what people have been saying about Helme Chase this week.

Check the news section for details.