CAMPAIGNERS fighting the closure of beds at a New Forest hospital have raised a petition signed by more than 2,000 people.

Health chiefs axed all 20 beds at Fenwick Hospital, Lyndhurst, amid a £9.8m cash crisis.

A petition demanding the reopening of the beds has been distributed to shops, community centres, doctors' surgeries and post offices in the village.

Organisers have been overwhelmed by the response and aim to collect even more signatures before presenting the petition to

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis on Friday.

Leading campaigner Sylvia Dibben, of the Friends of Lyndhurst Surgery, said: "We were astounded that the closure could take place at such short notice and without anyone knowing about it.

"There was a groundswell of opinion about it.

"People are very disappointed that this has happened, because there's a large elderly population here and the hospital has served our community very well.

"It's a huge shock to know that we may not have the facilities we have enjoyed before."

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, the beds were closed in January by New Forest Primary Care Trust, which is facing a deficit of almost £10m.

The outpatient clinics and a minor injuries unit are still operating, but the 97-year-old hospital has lost a number of vital services over the years.

A recently refurbished and extended day room was closed last year, even though the Fenwick's League of Friends had raised £75,000 towards the transformation.

The hospital's physiotherapy department closed in 2003 and the maternity unit was axed several years ago.

Another campaigner, Lorna Sturney, retired, of Pikes Hill, added: "I am sad for the local people, who have put so much hard work and money into the upkeep and running of the hospital."

Dr Lewis, who is backing the protesters, said: "I'm an enthusiastic supporter of the concept of the cottage hospital - I think small is beautiful.

"If the Fenwick does not reopen, the Primary Care Trust can expect a massive campaign to save it and I am not in the least bit surprised that it is beginning to get under way."

The trust's deputy chief executive, Yvonne Le Brun, said: "We are currently working on developing some options for the future of our community hospitals, which will be presented to the PCT board on March 31.

"These options have drawn on some initial public involvement work and will form the basis of a wider public consultation, which will begin in the spring."