AN ESTIMATED 2,000 people took to the streets and marched through Kendal in support of the town's maternity unit, writes Michaela Robinson-Tate.

Midwives from Helme Chase were joined by parents and children, members of toddler and playgroups, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Collins, farmers, local councillors, and representative from many other organisations.

Traffic through Kendal ground to a halt on Saturday, as the marchers made their way from Kirkland to Finkle Street.

Members of the Royal College of Midwives, who organised the protest, thanked everyone who had taken part or helped.

"I'm absolutely delighted that the people have turned out," said RCM representative Audrey Hawkes.

She told the crowd that their presence meant health chiefs would have to take notice of their views.

The future of the unit is currently out to public consultation.

A steering group was set up by Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the unit, to review its future, partly because staffing arrangements do not meet national guidelines.

Trust bosses approved a proposal to change the unit to a midwife-led service.

However, Morecambe Bay Health Authority chiefs, who fund Helme Chase and have the final say over its future, said more than one option should be put out to public consultation.

Three options have been put forward of no change, closure, and a midwife-led service.

Many of the marchers were not only opposed to the closure option, but also said as many services as possible should be kept at the unit.

l For full report and more pictures see Friday's Westmorland Gazette.