Feelings were running high as hundreds of angry people took to the streets of Maryport in the battle to save beds at the town's cottage hospital.

Around 400 protesters marched through the town in a huge show of force against the threat of controversial changes at the unit.

The possibility of bed reductions has emerged as part of the Success Regime programme charged with improving troubled health services across north and West Cumbria.

Among those who spoke at the event was Workington MP Sue Hayman who outlined concerns about the proposed loss of beds during a recent meeting with Success Regime chairman Sir Neil McKay. He has promised to visit the town so he can see for himself the strength of feeling receive a petition

Bill Barnes, the man at the helm of the community campaign in Maryport against the changes, admitted he was taken aback by the turnout on the town's streets.

He said: "We now have more than 4,000 paper petition signatures and more than 500 online.

“Volunteers and the community have tied 14,000 ribbons around town to highlight the cause or for people who have been helped by the hospital.”

Mr Barnes, chairman of the Ewanrigg and Netherton Renants' and Residents' Association (ENTRA), said he had expected a large crowd to turn out, “but not this many".

"This shows the passion people have for their hospital," Mr Barnes added.

He told the rally that two months ago he had never heard of the Success Regime.

“I got a phone call from someone connected with Maryport Cottage Hospital saying that staff were concerned about its future. Could I do anything?”

He then found out about the Success Regime and its proposals to reduce the Cumbria NHS multi-million pound debt and that one proposal involved removing the beds from the hospital in Maryport.

“I took this to an ENTRA meeting and members were unanimous that we should launch a campaign.”

He alerted a friend, Maryport resident Andrea Winter, who launched a Facebook page which attracted 1,100 people within two days. She also devised the Save Our Beds logo.

Mr Barnes added: "I have so many people who must be thanked: the volunteers who have worked so tirelessly, Andrea, the Times & Star, the Hospital League of Friends, the Ewanrigg Local Trust, Maryport Health Services, Drs Brian Money and Dan Berkeley and more.

“Paul Williamson of Firpress printed us 3,000 fliers. Local schools have taken it on board.

“We now have more than 4,000 paper petition signatures and more than 500 online.

“Volunteers and the community have tied 14,000 ribbons around town to highlight the cause or for people who have been helped by the hospital.”

Mr Barnes said he has weekly intravenous antibiotics at the hospital.

“Before they were able to do it here, I had to travel to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

“When it was arranged for me to have the treatment, the consultant in Newcastle wrote to Maryport to say how impressed he was with the service here.”

All of north Cumbria's community hospitals are at threat under the Success Regime's review. These include Keswick, Brampton, Wigton and Alston.

Success Regime bosses have said no firm proposals are on the table and that no decisions have been taken.