CAMPAIGNERS fighting against the closure of services at the Horton Hospital are calling on midwives and patients to join their latest protest.

The Keep The Horton General (KTHG) group is meeting at the hospital on Saturday night following the news that maternity services could be suspended because of a staff recruitment crisis.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Banbury hospital, confirmed on Friday it was planning to make the maternity unit "midwife-led" by the end of the September if more staff were not found.

This would mean anyone woman experiencing difficulties while giving birth would have to go elsewhere as there would be no specialists on site.

KTHG chairman Keith Strangwood, whose daughter Lexus was delivered stillborn at eight months at the hospital in 2011, said the trust was playing the campaign like an "old violin".

He added: "There are difficult questions which the trust needs to answer.

"This sort of thing is happening around the country and they are treating us with disrespect."

Mr Strangwood suggested temporary staff could be brought in to help with the shortage at the hospital, meaning fewer patients would have to travel to the John Radcliffe Hospital for appointments.

Midwives, patients and parents are invited to meet outside the hospital site from 7.45pm.

Campaigners will also join hands around the hospital on August 21 in response to the maternity unit proposals.

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, who was born at the hospital, said she was "very upset and disappointed" to hear about the possible suspension to services.

She added: "I understand the difficulties in recruiting obstetric doctors, but I firmly believe that a solution can be found that will ensure the continuation of a consultant-led unit at the Horton.

"Banbury needs high quality maternity care at a level that a midwifery-led unit cannot provide."