SHE is praying for a miracle - and Annette Stratton is not alone.

The campaigner is hoping health chiefs see sense at the 11th hour and save a popular Hampshire hospital.

Today is D-Day for The Mount Hospital at Bishopstoke as health bosses decide whether or not to axe the much-loved facility.

Mrs Stratton believes there is still time for them to change their minds.

She told the Daily Echo: "I am hoping that a miracle will happen at that meeting.

"They need to see sense and save The Mount. I don't think it's impossible - miracles do happen."

Campaigners have fought plans to abandon The Mount since proposals to shut it were unveiled by Eastleigh and Test Valley South Primary Care Trust last year.

Trust chiefs have argued that despite the convenience of The Mount to local people, the need to modernise and increase healthcare efficiency has become paramount.

Currently the backlog maintenance bill for the hospital has been estimated at a massive £1.7m - a sum that does not even include the cost of redesigning the facilities.

At today's meeting, the board will consider the

proposals, looking at the outcome of the public consultations and going over the finer details of the new model.

If the package is approved, it is hoped work will get under way by summer next year with new healthcare for the area that offers:

New inpatient rehabilitation beds within a three-mile radius of The Point in Eastleigh.

Local outpatient physiotherapy clinics.

A new rehabilitation centre.

But many residents have expressed their fears over the exact location of the services and beds, which are still undecided.

They are also unconvinced that the new model will be up and running before care at The Mount is axed - leaving them stranded.

Mrs Stratton, secretary of Bishopstoke Age Concern, said: "People still think that the plans are wishy-washy and that the most sensible solution is to keep The Mount."

Trust chief executive John Richards said: "We have listened carefully to the people's views since November, and some of the suggestions have been incorporated into the plans.

"These and other views received during the consultation process will now be given careful consideration when the PCT board decides whether or not to proceed today."

The meeting was due to take place at the Wells Place Centre, Wells Place, Eastleigh, today from 10am to noon.