HEALTH chiefs have announced they are scrapping a planned roadshow event planned in Dorchester this weekend after hospital campaigners organised a protest.

The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group was due to send a team to the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller event at the Borough Gardens in the county town as part of a series of roadshows across the county to discuss its plans for community services with members of the public.

However, campaigners fighting to protect services at Dorset County Hospital in light of the CCG’s Clinical Services Review announced earlier this week they were organising a picnic protest event in the gardens to coincide with the session.

The CCG has responded by saying it will be withdrawing from the event so as not to overshadow proceedings and the campaigners have cancelled their protest as a result.

A CCG spokesperson said: “We have made the difficult decision to withdraw our attendance from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller day in the Borough Gardens, Dorchester on Saturday.

“The decision has been made out of respect for both the event organisers and the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community, following recent activity in the media and online encouraging people to attend a protest picnic against the CCG.

“We felt this activity could move the focus of the event which has become an established part of the calendar and an enjoyable day out for many people over the years.

“This is obviously disappointing for us and we would like to apologise to anyone who was hoping to come and speak to the team and would like to invite them to any of our other roadshows, details of which can be found via dorsetsvision.nhs.uk.

“Members of the team will continue to engage with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities using other channels.”

A statement on the campaigners' Facebook page said: "Following a statement released by the CCG this morning, we have decided to take the decision to cancel the picnic this Saturday as the CCG will no longer be present at Borough Gardens.

"We feel this is a real shame as it was only ever going to be a peaceful picnic with our kids and we would never disrespect the travelling community as the CCG have suggested."

The campaigners remain determined to have a presence at other CCG roadshow events planned for other areas of the county.