A PETITION has been launched to save Horsforth Ambulance Station from being sold off.

The station is due to be sold off by the West Yorkshire Police Authority as part of a package with the neighbouring Horsforth Police Station.

Residents have already signed a petition to save the police station from being sold off and now, they are being asked to campaign for the ambulance station.

Councillor Mick Grubb, chairman of Horsforth Town Council, said the ambulance station was a vital service for the town and surrounding areas.

"We want to make people aware of what is going on and we are also contacting our MP Paul Truswell.

"We are only a town council, but we are doing what we can to save it."

Coun Grubb said he feared the town would be served by stations in Pudsey and Menston if the Horsforth one closed.

"The site is a very convenient one, I can't think of a better site for an ambulance station."

Fellow town councillor Sean Glover said as an epileptic he was only too aware of the importance of having an ambulance station nearby.

"We are urging every parent and every adult in Horsforth to unite against this closure and campaign to stop it from happening.

"There has been no explanation why it is happening and as far as we know it could be a cost-cutting exercise."

Coun Glover said schools in Horsforth had been contacted about the proposals which could result in houses being built on the site.

The West Yorkshire Ambul-ance Service (WYMAS), which currently operates ambulances out of the site, has been keen to reassure people that ambulance cover in the area will not be affected.

WYMAS, which leases the site from the police, has been given notice to quit later this year.

The service says although it has not been able to find alternative accommodation in Horsforth, there will still be a resource in the area and there would not be any impact on response times.