DOCTORS' plans to close a village's weekly surgery have run into opposition from the local MP.

The Coxhoe Medical Practice has run the Monday morning sessions in Quarrington Hill Community Centre since 1993.

But the practice has sent letters to almost 900 patients in the village and neighbouring Cassop, saying the facilities are no longer appropriate.

The practice is applying to the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust for permission to end the sessions.

Durham Labour MP Gerry Steinberg has urged the trust to refuse the application and warned that some patients will face difficulties going to the main surgery in Coxhoe.

The letter to patients from the practice said the centre was not an appropriate clinical environment, and that a receptionist from the main surgery had to work there on the busiest day of the week in an unsuitable working environment because regulations on working temperature were not always met.

It said: "The number of available doctors has reduced over the years and the list size for the practice is still very high. Patient care can be better managed in the main surgery, where GPs and nurses have access to diagnostic equipment and clinical and IT facilities to provide an integrated service.''

Mr Steinberg said: "I am extremely concerned and disappointed at the proposal.

"The surgery is well used and its withdrawal will seriously disadvantage the most vulnerable members of the community, particularly affecting elderly and infirm patients and young families, who often find it difficult to travel to access GP services. "

He said the problems listed by the practice were not insurmountable.

Local Durham City councillor Maurice Crathorne, and his two colleagues are also opposing the move.

They said the move would be inconvenient for the village and, because there was only an hourly bus service, it could take people two hours to get to an appointment in Coxhoe.

Practice manager Sylvia Jessop said: " It is not a question of recruitment of doctors, it is because we can't provide appropriate community facilities for patients.''