Five town mayors have united in a campaign to secure the future of community hospitals in south Oxfordshire.

Alison Rooke, of Abingdon; Colin Daukes, of Didcot; Lynda Atkins, of Wallingford; Julia Reynolds, of Wantage; and Ian Reissmann, of Henley, have launched a petition to rally support for the inpatient units some of which are being threatened with closure.

In a joint statement, the mayors expressed concern about continuing rumours and confusion regarding the fate of hospitals in Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage, Wallingford, Henley and Witney.

The statement said community hospital beds in the towns were usually mostly, if not completely, occupied.

It went on: "Our community hospitals serve a vital purpose in each of our towns.

"We consider it essential that the PCTs enter into a meaningful and constructive debate with local people."

No formal proposals regarding changes to community hospitals have been drawn up. But managers did admit some could close, after the Oxford Mail obtained confidential documents revealing plans to replace them with fewer, larger units and home care.

Final proposals are expected to include closing 104 beds at Abingdon, Wantage, Didcot and Henley, and upgrading Wallingford and Witney into 60-bed units.

Mrs Rooke said that although it seemed only some communities would suffer, the effects would affect the region.

She said: "There'd be fewer beds chased by more people, therefore it would affect everyone. We have several problems with the idea of home care.

"When you're in hospital there's always someone there to look after you. It's also free at the point of access.

"Obviously it's nice to be at home, but we believe it'll be means-tested."

Those above the threshold will have to pay, while social services will be expected to pay for those below it.

"If the county council ends up paying, it'll either have to put up its rates or chose other services to cut."

Mrs Rooke hoped the petition, which is being distributed to shops this week, could be given to the PCTs as feedback, once they started a full consultation.

GP Dr Stephen Richards, chairman of South East and South West Oxfordshire PCTs joint professional executive committee, said managers were still not ready to reveal final blueprints for the community hospitals.

He said: "I respect the fact that the mayors are putting a shot across our bows, but while some NHS beds may diminish in some hospitals, total capacity may well stay the same.

"The model we're looking at may change the flavour of what is done and there may be a tiny minority of patients who do have to pay for care, but it will be a tiny minority.

"At the moment, what we have is hugely inefficient and there are much better models of care available."