The campaigners who fought so hard to save services at The Horton Hospital, Banbury, have scored a momentous victory.

The Independent Reconfiguration Panel has backed all the fears they expressed.

In almost every previous case it had considered, the panel had backed changes proposed by health trusts.

But it threw out plans to downgrade paediatric, gynaecological and obstetric services in Banbury.

Given the panel's previous history, those who protested so vigorously must have felt that the odds were stacked against them as yesterday's announcement drew near.

The victory, which was beyond most people's wildest dreams, shows what a strong case they put forward.

The panel's verdict was devastating for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust.

It concluded that it was not in the best interests of patients, families and carers to have to travel to Oxford, and face possible delays.

The battle, however, may not be over yet.

Although Health Secretary Alan Johnson has accepted the panel's findings, there is to be another review of services in Banbury.

We urge the campaigners not to relax their guard.

The health trust is unlikely to give up easily.