ANGRY Bromsgrove residents joined hundreds in a county-wide rally to defend local NHS services from ‘cuts, closures and privatization’.

The demonstration, which was held in Worcester on Saturday, was organized by campaign group It’s Our NHS Worcestershire alongside members of Bromsgrove Against Cuts.

The rally came after winter deaths at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital and an ‘inadequate’ report into the hospital, Redditch's Alexandra Hospital, and the trust which runs them.

Student and activist Sam Harris, 18, from Barnt Green, who was one of around 150 people to attend the demonstration, said: “It was a great day and a good turnout.

“It’s important that Worcestershire people are turning out for events like this and voicing their concerns.

“The National Health Service is so valuable and so important for us all, we will never stop fighting for it.

“The Alex is currently in special measures and paediatrics has almost been entirely moved, it simply isn’t viable for local families from around here to have to travel to Worcester to get their kids seen.”

The campaign group says more demonstrations will be held across Worcestershire to voice concerns against the Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs).

For further information on the group visit facebook.com/OurNHSWorcs.