AROUND 3,000 people have signed a petition to save St Leonards Hospital from closure.

Last month it was revealed that Alderney, St Leonards and Westhaven hospitals, in Poole, Ferndown and Weymouth respectively, have been recommended for closure by NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

In response the Friends of St Leonards Hospital are amassing an army of volunteers to do battle and help save the hospital from closing.

Two online petitions have been launched, and dozens of volunteers have been collecting signatures at supermarkets, town halls and high streets around communities in East Dorset and Ringwood which rely on the hospital.

So far 3,000 people have signed to show their support for the hospital in Ringwood Road.

Speaking to the Echo Friends chairman Jacqueline Moss said: “I am just so overwhelmed by the amount of public support we have received in such a small period of time.

“I have had people knocking on my door asking for copies of the petition so they can knock on their neighbours' doors and get them to sign.”

Mrs Moss has also written to Ferndown Town Council requesting that it hosts a public meeting with representatives from Dorset CCG. The matter will be discussed at a full council meeting on Tuesday, September 13.

To sign the petition go to stleonardsfriends.co.uk.