BURY's Labour party has started its own drive to save Fairfield Hospital's special care baby unit.

Championed by Bury North MP David Chaytor, 30,000 leaflets are to be distributed to households in his constituency urging people to join the campaign against cutting women's and children's services at the Rochdale Old Road complex.

The move followed his pledge last week to join a crowd of thousands on a town centre protest march on October 16. The march is being organised by Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society which has been leading the campaign against proposals which would mark the end of the special care baby unit.

In his "Bury Says No" leaflet, Mr Chaytor describes the fight to save the services as "Bury United versus Manchester".

He states that the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority, by selecting Fairfield Hospital as the one to lose a full maternity service, has made "the wrong choice".

He adds: "That is why I want you to join with me in the Bury North Labour Party's campaign: Bury Says No!"

The MP urges householders to fill in a tear-off slip to show their support for the campaign.

Mr Chaytor told the Bury Times: "This campaign depends on the quantity of people and the quality of arguments put forward. People power can make a difference along with a strong case which I am helping to build up.

"I am convinced that we can mount an unanswerable argument."

Sharron Entwistle, trustee of Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society, said: "This is what we have wanted all along. Mr Chaytor has said he will lead the march. It is the best thing that could have happened for this campaign. His support helps us to put forward a stronger case."

This week the former Conservative Party leader, William Hague MP, backed the campaign to keep open full maternity and children's services at Fairfield.

His support was aired at a meeting with David Nuttall, the prospective parliamentary candidate for Bury North.

Mr Nuttall said: "I have always said that I will do all I can to help the campaign and I am pleased that William has given his support."

Mrs Entwistle commented: "This is great news for the campaign. I hope we will be able to secure support from other leading politicians from all parties."