NHS campaigners are to lobby councillors about threats to hospital services.

Members of the group 999 Call for the NHS, which has been highlighting concerns over Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP), will gather outside Darlington Town Hall ahead of a council meeting at Thursday on 6pm.

Jo Land, from the group, said it was believed councillors would be discussing plans which could see A&E, acute and maternity-led services downgraded at either Darlington Memorial or North Tees Hospital.

Last year campaigners undertook a protest march around several hospitals and also gatecrashed a meeting of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to raise concerns.

Ms Land said: “Darlington Borough Council have powers to object to these plans and turn them over to review.

“We’re asking them to be the public’s voice and oppose these devastating NHS cuts.”

Health chiefs have rejected the criticism saying the plans will provide better care and address demands on the NHS.