A PUBLIC meeting has been arranged to discuss a Whalley hospital trust's bid to break free from central NHS control.

People interested in health matters are being invited to the forum, staged by Calderstones NHS Trust, on Wednesday May 9.

Russ Pearce, Calderstones' chief executive, said: "It is important that we gain the views of the local community.

"We will be holding a series of public meetings and I would encourage people to attend, learn more about the application and be a part of our future."

The trust has just begun a 12-week consultation exercise on the foundation bid, which would see it gain greater independence from the NHS.

The meeting will be staged at The Sands, in Whalley Abbey, Whalley, from 6.30pm.

For more details call Christine Hargreaves on 01254 821450.