CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the Duchess of Kent military hospital have urged Health Secretary Mr Alan Milburn to meet them.

Although Mr Milburn, MP for Darlington, has not yet replied to a letter, the campaign group is confident he will agree to a meeting. They also hope for a chance to update Tory leader and Richmond MP Mr William Hague on the campaign which aims to halt closure of the Catterick Garrison hospital and see it restored to a full range of medical services.

Coun Tony Pelton, a leading campaigner, said Mr Milburn would be presented with a petition supporting the group's aims. "We have about 2,000 signatures now but I would urge anyone with a petition sheet to return it to me as soon as possible so we can collate the final total," he said.

Mr Milburn would also have chance to see a file of supporting correspondence from parish councils whose residents used the DKH when it was a public hospital.

"We will fight on to save this hospital," said Coun Pelton. "Colburn is known for its medical needs, the country has the highest heart disease problem in Europe and we have the biggest British army base in Europe here. There are also a lot of elderly people who retire to the dales and who need easy access to hospital services."