A successful public meeting was held in Dearham this week as momentum builds in the Save Our Beds campaign.

Campaign leader Bill Barnes updated people in the village hall on Wednesday night.

He then read letters from youngsters who had given the campaign their support.

He said: "There were quite a new faces which hopefully is a sign of momentum building behind the campaign.

"There were about 35 people there which is probably what we expected, although we could have done with a few more.

"They were impressed with the standard of letters from young people and how they expressed themselves.

"People in these villages are just as passionate about the issues as we are in Maryport.

"We're taking it into the outlying villages because it's their hospital as much as ours."

Bill said the meeting's success was more evidence of the hospital's importance to the community.

He added: "I'm absolutely over the moon with the way the whole campaign's going, the support has been unbelievable.

"When you think we're getting letters from six year olds, that tells you we're on to something.

"When you see the ribbons around town that's another indication of how it's going because they're everywhere."

The next meeting will be held at Ewanrigg and Netherton Community Centre on Ennerdale Road, Maryport, on Wednesday at 7pm.