SOUTH Lakes MP Tim Farron has this morning launched a petition calling on the Government to abandon plans to merge the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital onto a single site.

There are huge concerns that this would move acute services even further away from local residents in the South Lakes.

Last week on the floor of the House of Commons, Mr Farron raised fears about the plans with Health Secretary Matt Hancock who confirmed that replacing both hospitals with a single site was on the agenda.

Mr Farron said: “Residents here in the South Lakes already have to travel some of the longest distances for hospital treatment in England – and in an emergency the nearest A&E department for much of the area is in Lancaster.

“Be in no doubt - we will fight tooth and nail to stop the Government moving services even further away.

“I would strongly encourage everyone who cares about this to join our campaign and sign the petition today.”

People can sign the petition by heading to https://www.southlakeslibdems.org.uk/hospitals