A senior Bradford councillor will tell Health Secretary Andrew Lansley it is “unacceptable” for the children’s heart surgery unit at a Leeds hospital to close.

Councillor Mike Gibbons, chairman of Bradford Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee, will write to Mr Lansley as the latest person to add his voice to condemnation of the decision to close the unit.

And he will tell the Secretary of State there is no need to close the unit, at Leeds General Infirmary, which provides care for youngsters across the district and the whole of Yorkshire.

Members of the committee have voted to request Coun Gibbons writes to Mr Lansley backing calls from the Council and the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Yorkshire and the Humber for a rethink on the decision taken early last month.

The decision to close the unit came after a three-year nationwide review of heart services by Sir Neil McKay, chairman of the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts.

Sir Neil has said he will defend his decision with “rigour” after it was called in and referred to Mr Lansley who will now inspect the review and its conclusions, and has the power to overturn the closure of the Leeds unit.

Coun Gibbons will compose a response to Mr Lansley as soon as possible and he said many feel Sir Neil has made the wrong choice.

“The overwhelming feeling in the Bradford area is the decision is simply unacceptable,” he said. “It must be obvious to almost everyone apart from Sir Neil McKay and his committee that the statistics involved and the numbers of people affected far outweigh other considerations.

“Also, the decision taken will have an impact on adult cardiac services in the area.”

If the decision is backed by Mr Lansley, families will probably have to take children to Newcastle for surgery.