James Mitchell was born on July 7, 1948 - earning himself a place in the history of the Maryport Hospital.

He became the first NHS baby to be born there.

"My parents did not even know. They had paid for my older siblings and when I was born, they went to pay as usual and the matron said she had been told that there would no longer be a charge."

His mother recently spent some time in the same hospital and James said the value of this community asset could not be overstated.

James, of The Arches, is a former teacher at Netherhall School. He owns his fishing boat and was one of those responsible for forming the Fishermen's Cooperative in Maryport.

"Taking the beds out of Maryport Hospital would be writhing the heart out of the community. This is where so many of us were born and where it allows us to depart in a very caring way."

He said the hospital - not just the palliative care but all care - is essential to this community and must be left alone.