HUNDREDS who attended the mass public meeting have vowed to voice their protests again this Monday to the local health authority.

Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) has organised a "come and have your say" public discussion at The Village Hotel and Leisure Club in Bury at 6.30pm. It is expected to last for two hours.

The event is part of the pre-consultation work being led by the PCT to assess "How Could the Proposals Work in Bury?"

The proposals have been described by PCT bosses as having "some exciting and far-reaching recommendations to improve services for children across Greater Manchester", but they also admit that the plans have "caused some local concern".

Mr Evan Boucher, chief executive of Bury PCT, said: "The Children's Network proposals have caused some concern among local people, particularly in relation to the potential closure of our special care baby unit and neonatal intensive care unit at Fairfield. I would urge the people of Bury to come along and get involved in this debate.

"We have arrangements to allow people to contribute in smaller groups, so everyone can have a say. This is a good opportunity to learn more about the wider implications of the proposals, and contribute to the discussion."

Those attending the meeting will be asked the question "What is important to you in the delivery of local services for your children?".

Mr Boucher added: "The discussion will give us the opportunity to tell people about the preparatory work of our two task forces that have been established to fully test out the proposals. It will also give us the chance to look at how the proposals could impact on the services provided in Bury."

Views aired at the meeting will form part of the formal consultation document.

Mr Boucher concluded: "There will be similar events planned during the formal period of public consultation, and local people will have other opportunities to put their views forward."

Chairman of Monday's public meeting, Vera Stringer, said: "We will be there in numbers. I hope there will be enough room for us."