A CAMPAIGN to save a Bishop Auckland hospital ward is gathering pace, with more than 7,000 people signing a petition against its closure.

Campaigners fighting proposals to close ward three at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, have collected 2,000 signatures within the past two weeks.

The list of names collected so far was handed to MP Helen Goodman at her Shildon surgery last night, and campaigners now plan to take the petition across South-West Durham.

Shops and businesses in Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Barnard Castle will be asked to display the petition, and volunteers will take the message to the three town centres.

Nigel Boddy, a solicitor from Darlington, who is leading the campaign, said: "I'm very concerned about the future for Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

"I fear in the future we may just have one hospital for the whole Tees Valley area - James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough."

The County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is considering closing ward three because it says it is not used enough.

The campaign against the closure could grow further next week, with Wear Valley District Council considering giving its backing.

The council will debate a motion supporting the campaign on Wednesday.