A CALL has gone out to the people of Bury to "stand up and be counted" by joining Saturday's mass demonstration against plans to axe Fairfield's special care baby unit.

Thousands are expected to join Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society's march through Bury town centre in protest at plans to cut maternity and women's services.

Leading the rally will be Bury North MP David Chaytor, who last Saturday showed his support by signing the petition against the controversial proposals.

He will be joined by Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South, along with Janet Anderson, MP for Rossendale,

Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society (FBLS) is leading the campaign and has collected more than 20,000 signatures objecting to the proposals. The petition will be presented to the House of Commons next week.

The campaign group received a further boost this week when they learned that Bury Council's healthier and safer communities scrutiny commission is also opposing the plans. Coun John Smith, who chairs the committee, explained: "The committee has decided to back the Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society campaign on the grounds that there is no evidence to justify why Fairfield General's maternity and children's service should be reduced.

"We decided to take this decision now to reassure staff at the hospital, who, given the uncertainty, could start looking for new jobs elsewhere."

Coun Smith said that the committee had the power to refer the matter to the secretary of state.

Dr Said Hany, chairman of FBLS, said: "This is great news and an important boost for us. Bury Council has opposed the plans, their scrutiny committee and the town's MPs have come out against them as well. There will be representatives from all the political parties on this march."

But he added: "I would say to the people of Bury to come out and show their support and to stand united against the proposals."

Protesters are asked to meet at Clarence Park on Walmersley Road at noon. The march will begin at 1pm, heading along Walmersley Road, past Bury fire station, onto The Rock and into Kay Gardens, where speeches will be made.

During the march, road closures on the southbound carriageway will be in place.

"We are asking people to give up an hour of their time and show those responsible that the people of this town are against these proposals," said Dr Hany.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillors Barry and Sharon Briggs, will be joining the march. Coun Briggs said: "I believe the case to remove services from Bury has not been proved. I would urge the people of Bury to join the march. We have been told a decision has not been made and we are seeking to influence the course of events before a decision is made. I believe services should stay at Fairfield."

FBLS has enlisted the help of a local artist to help design banners, but those attending are urged to make their own, bearing "heartfelt" messages.

Children who join the march will be given balloons to carry.

Under the proposals, Fairfield Hospital stands to lose its special care baby unit, and maternity services will be replaced by a midwife-led unit. There will be no overnight stays for children.

Last week, FBLS members faced representatives of the children's network, responsible for drawing up the proposals.

Campaigner and ex-chief officer of the former Bury Community Health Council, Mr Paul Reynolds, said: "I really feel that the children's network cannot even defend their own proposals. They could not answer simple questions on why Fairfield General had been chosen, given its accessibility to more people, and that it is the newest hospital in the trust and has the land to expand."

He added: "The argument against the proposals are not based on NIMBY; the proposals are unacceptable."

A spokesman for the Children and Young People's Network said: "We have explained in detail how we arrived at our recommendations for change and will continue to try to help people understand the critical healthcare issues for children behind the proposals.

"It is very important for people to understand that the recommendation is just that -- it is the view of the children and young people's network, taking into consideration all the factors. During the consultation process people will have a chance to comment on this and other options, the criteria we have used to make our recommendation and the proposal itself."