Organisers of a high-profile rally opposing cuts to health services and hospital beds are urging people to show their support.

The Our NHS demo takes place in Carlisle city centre tomorrow from midday, organised by Cumbria Health Campaigns Together .

It will see protesters from all over north, west and east cumbria come together to show the strength of feeling against recently-approved Success Regime plans to cut local services.

A bus full of campaigners from Maryport are set to attend, along with groups from Whitehaven and Alston.

It will also highlight the national threats facing the NHS, including funding cuts and the threat of privatisation.

Dr Helen Davison , of Cumbria Health Campaigns Together, is urging as many people as possible to join the rally and march.

"Our health services are really under threat. They have been underfunded for years," she said.

"If we do not stand up for it now we are going to lose the National Health Service as we know it.

"We are going to see private companies coming in and an insurance-based system coming in. I find that wrong.

"This demo is a chance for people to stand together and say we want the NHS and we do not want these cuts.

"We need a health service that's there for everyone when they need it, however much money they have got.

"We need lots of people there to get our message across."

Anyone wanting to join the rally should meet outside the Old Town hall in Carlisle city centre just before midday on Saturday.

The rally will feature several speakers from health campaigns across Cumbria, union representatives and those representing patients and NHS staff.

It will be followed by a march around the city centre.

Individuals, NHS workers, families and groups of friends are all encouraged to turn out with banners and placards.

A number of students from the University of Cumbria have already pledged their support by making posters and placards.

Graphic design student James Cook, 23, is among them and now plans to attend this weekend's rally.

"I care very much about the NHS and felt very passionately about getting involved," he said.

"In a couple of years time we may end up with a similar health system to America. That's something I really do not want."

The Cumbrian Our NHS demo follows a big national rally in London last month, attended by dozens of local campaigners.