CAMPAIGNERS once again marched through Dorchester to show their support for services at Dorset County Hospital.

It is estimated that more than 1,000 people joined the march.

Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is set to go out to consultation on the future of health services in the county next year.

One option that could be considered is transferring children’s inpatient services to Bournemouth or Poole.

Campaigners marched from Top O’ Town car park, down South Street and then at the bottom of South Street enjoyed entertainment as well as speeches.

They could be heard singing ‘Kingfisher Kingfisher we want it to stay’ in support of the children’s ward at DCH as shoppers stopped to clap the march.

 

The march was aimed to focus on the children with those in wheelchairs and with open access to the ward at the front of the march and with the likes of Dorchester Town FC’s mascot Dinky Bear, Father Christmas a snowman and even a Dalek joining the march to make it fun for the children while getting the message across.

Naomi Patterson, whose son George is a regular user of the Kingfisher Ward said she was impressed with the turn out once again.

She said: “Once again, it’s really important so everybody came here to show their support today.

“We have got a fantastic community.

“We’ll do everything we can to fight the proposals.”

To view a picture gallery from the march, click here.