BANBURY MP Victoria Prentis has called on fellow politicians to get behind the campaign to save services at the Horton Hospital.

She has written to colleagues including former Prime Minister David Cameron, Nicola Blackwood, Ed Vaizey and South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom to tell them about proposals to cut maternity services next month.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Banbury hospital, has confirmed it wants to make the maternity unit "midwife-led" from the end of September due to staff shortages.

Mrs Prentis said: "Before Parliament rose for the summer recess, I had a number of helpful and reassuring conversations with colleagues about the Trust’s plans for the Horton General Hospital.

"However, given recent developments I was keen to ensure that all those MPs whose constituents use the Horton are up to speed.

"So far, the responses have been positive."

She added that she was hoping to arrange a meeting with MPs and the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group - who help plan health services - at the end of this month.

Campaigners from the Keep The Horton General Group are planning to hold a protest outside the hospital on August 21.

Mrs Prentis said: "It is particularly important for the Trust to understand that the decisions they are taking affect not only the residents of North Oxfordshire, but also people in a large surrounding area.

"The Horton is a vital lifeline to hundreds of thousands of people.

"I will continue to do all that I can to ensure it remains the general hospital it is today."