A 35-year-old stroke victim is joining a mass protest against plans to shut the rehabilitation unit which helped her back to health.

Lisa Lees, pictured with her daughter Safia, is a mother-of-two from Riddlesden, Keighley. She will be demonstrating against the planned closure of Whinfield Physical Rehabilitation Unit at Skipton General Hospital.

They have been backed by health unions and are planning a demonstration next month, when protesters will be collecting names for a petition calling for the unit to be saved. Airedale NHS Trust wants to close Whinfield and open a unit at Airedale General Hospital, Eastburn, in September.

Mrs Lees, who suffered her second stroke in November, spent three weeks as a patient in Whinfield, after initial treatment at Airedale. She said the new Airedale unit would be an acute ward and not have the same specialised rehabilitation facilities.

"I spent three weeks in Whinfield and it was the most amazing experience. The staff are incredible skilful and caring," she said. "I was paralysed down my left side and lost my speech and I credit my recovery to them.

"I received superb physical and occupation therapy.

"I was taken shopping. Getting out into the community is incredibly important because you lose your confidence with a stroke.

"The things you take for granted - such as making your breakfast - become such a big issue when you have had a stroke, and the physiotherapy and occupational therapy are crucial."

Whinfield takes patients from Craven, the Ilkley area and Keighley.

An Airedale NHS Trust spokesman said the proposal was under discussion with staff. "The new stroke unit is a purpose built, fully modernised facility with direct access to expert care and facilities," he said. Campaigners have called on Keighley Labour MP Ann Cryer and Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP David Curry for support. Mrs Cryer said: "This service should be expanding not contracting."