Ilkley's fight to save the Coronation Hospital was beamed to homes around the country this week when television crews rolled into town.

A production team from BBC2 show Daily Politics travelled to Ilkley yesterday to talk to local GPs, patients and MP Ann Cryer about the hospital's future during their visit yesterday.

The results were shown on the programme between 11am and 1pm, with live interviews mixed with pre-recorded pieces completed in the area the day before.

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition opposing cost-cutting proposals by Airedale NHS Trust which could see the hospital closed down this year and services moved out of the town.

It was that strength of community feeling which persuaded the producers of the show, which is presented by The Scotsman editor Andrew Neil, to make the trip north.

One of the production team, Hugh Milbourn, said: "Our live broadcasts come from different places around the country wherever we find a local issue which also has a broader, national significance.

"This week Ilkley was chosen as the venue after we spoke to Mrs Cryer and a few radio stations to find out what local people were talking about the most.

"The Coronation Hospital, and its uncertain future, seemed to fit the bill, so we've been talking to a wide range of people, including members of the Community Health Council, doctors and MPs, to hear their views about it."

The programme was also keen to hear from the Trust's chief executive, Bob Allen, and spent days trying to persuade him to appear on the show.

But Mr Allen turned down the invitation, and the BBC say an alternative offer to film a pre-recorded interview with someone from Airedale Primary Care Trust (PCT), was made too late.

Mr Milbourn said: "We were trying for an interview with the Trust's chief executive but it was proving very hard and they didn't seem very keen.

"We put it to them that we had all these people opposed to the plan lined up to talk to us and it would make sense to have Mr Allen on, too, for the sake of balance.

"We are obviously very disappointed that he has declined to appear. I had a long chat with Mr Allen on the phone on Tuesday night and he had a lot of things to say which would be of interest to the people of Ilkley, and which I think they deserve to hear.

"But he obviously doesn't seem to think that is part of his job."

A spokeswoman for the Trust said the decision not to take part had been taken because discussions between it and the PCT were still ongoing and there was no new news for the public.

A statement issued by Mr Allen l Continued from Page 1

said: "Airedale PCT and Airedale NHS Trust are continuing to work together to decide what range of services can be delivered and which of these should be provided in the community, and which of them should be provided at Airedale General Hospital.

"We have been looking in detail at the whole range of health services we provide to our patients throughout the community we serve, and in consequence at the services provided at the Ilkley Coronation Hospital site.

"The organisations are working together to discuss the services being provided in Ilkley, now and in the future.

"The recently published Department of Health document, Keeping the NHS Local - A New Direction of Travel, will provide the background to these discussions, which are still ongoing. We have not reached the stage where we are able to offer a consultation with the public.

"We need to find a good, long-term solution. The Trust and the PCT will keep the public and their staff informed at every stage of these future proposals and developments and at a future date, yet to be agreed, the PCT will consult widely on behalf of the Trust on any service changes."

The plans to close Coronation Hospital, along with hospitals in Bingley and Skipton, were first floated last year as a possible solution to Airedale NHS Trust's financial problems. In January Airedale Community Health Council, which opposes closure plans, said the Trust was facing an estimated £2.8 million budget deficit.

Airedale PCT was due to unveil consultation papers detailing the fate of the hospital in February, but that was delayed to allow more time to investigate all the options.

l The Ilkley Gazette has helped to co-ordinate the popular Save Our Hospital campaign, which is also being fully backed by the Parish Council. Free colour 'Save Our Hospital' posters are still available at the Gazette office in Wells Road, Ilkley.