CAMPAIGNERS hoping to keep Gosport's Royal Hospital, Haslar, open for the long-term have written to the government.

The Haslar Task Force is lobbying Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, Health Secretary Alan Milburn, Southampton (Itchen) and Health Minister John Denham and Defence Minister John Speller.

Long term campaigner Gosport MP Peter Viggers has been helping promote the lobby himself with behind-the-scenes work.

The campaigners want meetings with the ministers of health and defence to discuss the joint disciplinary approach to the military hospital staying open.

The campaigners, including ex-naval surgeons and Fareham council, want the hospital to continue to treat public and armed services patients for longer than the current Ministry of Defence six-year time limit.

The hospital is then due to close and transfer to Portsmouth and Birmingham.

Andy Day, head of committee services for Gosport Council, said: "After the high profile of our march to Downing Street in December, we decided to keep the initiative momentum going.

"So we and the MP are urging ministers to take a more holistic approach to giving Haslar a viable future for the people of Gosport and southern Fareham.

"The MoD wants to close Haslar eventually on short- term points, but we're raising awareness of the valuable role Haslar continues to play, serving the public and the military patients.

"As can already be seen, Haslar is playing an increasingly important part in NHS services, as Portsmouth hospitals move some services there.''