A PHARMACIST today warned that chemists across Fareham borough could struggle to survive if the government presses ahead with new trading laws.

Paul Baker of H J Everett in Warsash has collected a 2,700-signature petition from residents opposed to the plan.

He fears more pharmacies could be built in supermarkets and near doctors' surgeries - depriving villages and smaller communities of a vital lifeline.

"We will see a clustering of pharmacies around health centres and in supermarkets. Pharmacies in small villages and communities will be more vulnerable and could close," he said.

"Mums, kids, and the elderly with no transport will find it more difficult. We would not want to lose pharmacies from village centres. We have already lost banks and post offices."

Mr Baker collected the signatures from branches at Warsash, Locks Heath, Titchfield, Park Gate and Whiteley.

The government is currently drawing up proposals to remove restrictions on where pharmacies can be set up.

At present the health authority must give permission for pharmacies to trade where they believe there is a need.

Mr Baker, superintendent pharmacist at the Warsash branch, says this means there is an even distribution of pharmacies serving the population and easily accessible by all.

But the Office of Fair Trading has said that all restrictions should be lifted to allow any registered pharmacy with qualified staff to dispense NHS prescriptions.

They say this will lead to greater consumer choice and save money as there would no longer be any regulation.

Fareham MP Mark Hoban will present the petition to the House of Commons next week.

He said: "The government is thinking about allowing chemists to open anywhere without any thought to existing shops, which could lead to the closure of chemists in villages and small communities.

"This is a further attack on our high streets and shopping parades from a government which has already agreed to the closure of thousands of post offices across the country.

"I want to protect our local shops and the communities that rely upon them."