Campaigners fighting for the future of West Cumbria's main hospital are calling on people to share their experiences to help the cause.

The campaign group We Need West Cumberland Hospital was formed almost two years ago to tackle the gradual loss of key services from Whitehaven.

They want to see emergency surgery and trauma provision, which has been centralised at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary, return.

Campaigner Lynne Davies, of Chaucer Road, Workington, says that, in turn, would stabilise other services.

The group is asking people to share their experiences of the hospitals to help build evidence about the impact the loss of services is having on patients.

Hospital bosses have blamed staff shortages and a difficulty attracting new consultants for the loss of some services from Whitehaven, and the question marks that hang over other services like maternity.

Campaigners hope fresh changes in hospital management, and the recent appointment of 10 new consultants, will help secure their goals.

However, they feel a commitment to future services may be needed to overcome the staffing problems.

Lynne, a member of the campaign's committee, said: "I think if they bring emergency surgery and trauma back to the West Cumberland Hospital the recruitment process will heal itself.

"No young consultant wants to be out of the cutting edge of medicine. Elective surgery isn't what they want to do.

"We're just hoping that the new management are more robust with recruitment because the process has definitely been flawed over the last few years.

"A lot of posts have been offered on a semi-permanent basis so that's not going to encourage people to relocate.

"Management have destablised the hospitals then couldn't get the consultants and then they say they can't keep the services.

"We don't think it's safe to transfer people from West Cumbria to Carlisle."

Following changes in recent years, anyone from West Cumbria needing non-elective surgery has to travel to Carlisle, if not further afield, to get it.

That means someone who breaks their wrist in Workington and needs surgery cannot be treated in Whitehaven.

The campaign group has previously held marches, demonstrations and gathered petitions calling for action to tackle the degradation of services for West Cumbrians.

Email wch.evidence@outlook.com to share your story with the group.