MUMS who launched a huge campaign to block the temporary closure of a Fareham birthing centre will be able to have a big say over the future for maternity services in the area.

Nearly two years ago campaigners for the Blackbrook Birthing Centre took their protests to Downing Street and handed a 2,600 plus petition to the then premier Tony Blair.

Now the centre is set to come under the spotlight again as the Hampshire Primary Care Trust holds a series of conferences to let residents have their say on the future of birthing centres the south east of the county.

Various options will be discussed including shutting one out of the four centres in the area, but health chiefs want those who will use the services to help decide.

Attending the sessions for the PCT will be Dawn Phillips, project midwife, and Nick Birtley, patient and public involvement manager for the South East, who will be on-hand to answer any questions.

Dawn said she is looking forward to hearing what people and added: "Hampshire PCT really hope people interested in, or perhaps concerned about what is being proposed attend a session, so anything they may be unsure of can be explained."

Drop in centres are being held: Thursday August 16 from 8:30am to 1pm at the Sure Start Rowner Children's Centre, Siskin Schools Campus, Nimrod Drive, Gosport.

Friday August 17 from 10am to 12pm at the Titchfield Community Centre, Mill Street.

Monday August 20 from 9:30am to 12pm at the Oak Meadow Children's Centre, Tewkesbury Avenue, Fareham.

For more information, call 023 9224 8340.