Health minister Philip Dunne has today met with hospital staff and campaigners during a visit to Cumbria.

After recently taking up the post following Theresa May's government reshuffle, he made the journey to the West Cumberland Hospital to honour a promise made to activists by his predecessor Ben Gummer.

It follows the unveiling of controversial plans to downgrade services - including maternity, paediatrics and stroke - at the Whitehaven hospital by the Government's Success Regime, which have been condemned locally as unsafe.

The trip saw Mr Dunne tour the new part of the hospital, including meeting new mums on the existing maternity unit, and meet with health bosses, staff, campaigners and Copeland MP Jamie Reed.

In an exclusive interview with the News & Star he said he was there to listen.

He insisted no decisions about the future of healthcare in north and west Cumbria had been made, and urged local people to take part in the ongoing public consultation to get their voices heard.

"I can confirm to them that as far as I'm aware it's an open process - it's a genuine consultation," he said.

After the meeting Mr Reed said: "I'm pleased he came. He had a very emotional and inspirational visit to the maternity unit where he saw and spoke to two mothers who given birth here, neither of who would have made it to Carlisle."

A group of about 50 protesters gathered outside the hospital to coincide with Mr Dunne's arrival.

Rachel Holliday, from the We Need West Cumberland Hopsital campaign group, was among those who met him.

Afterwards she said: "I think he may have listened but will he actually hear us?"