A rally was held at the weekend by protestors angered at the possible closure of a hospital in Hartlepool.

About 150 people attended the demonstration in Victory Square, in the town, to fight the plans to close the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

The closure is one measure being considered by NHS managers in their Tees review of services.

Another includes also shutting the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, and creating a hospital between Stockton and Hartlepool, potentially at Wynyard.

There was political unity at the rally, organised by the Hartlepool and East Durham Save our Hospital Campaign.

Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats all attended and both Easington and Hartlepool councils reiterated their support for the campaign.

John Bloom, organiser of the rally, said: "There was a pretty good atmosphere and we took a lot from seeing such support from across the political spectrum, with everyone basically singing from the same song-sheet.

"We were a little disappointed that we didn't get a bigger crowd, but I think the weather put one or two people off.

"I would say that 95 per cent of people in Hartlepool and east Durham are totally against this. We can't speak for Stockton but we will certainly never speak against them. We want both hospitals to remain where they are."

Speakers included Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick, Northumberland, who warned the campaigners that they faced a tough fight.

Journalist Yvonne Ridley was also due to speak at the meeting but was involved in a minor car accident on the A19. She was uninjured.

The NHS County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, which is holding the review, has stressed that no decision on services will be made for some time. However, it has also stated that "the current pattern of services is not sustainable".