DEVIZES residents are being encouraged to voice their views on the proposals to build a replacement hospital in the town.

A public meeting takes place on Monday at the Corn Exchange, Devizes, starting at 7.30pm.

The proposals will be outlined by representatives of the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, which runs Devizes Hospital.

The trust is proposing to sell off the existing Devizes Hospital site in Commercial Road and the Devizes Family Health Centre site in New Park Street and use the money to build a new hospital on land at Green Lane. The trust has published a consultation document and at the public meeting people will be able to ask questions and make comments about the services they would like to see in the new hospital.

Peter Williams, who heads up the project for the trust, said: "We are very anxious to get input from the people of the Devizes area.

"The hospital will be their hospital and we are very interested in getting constructive suggestions about what they would like to see in it."

The hospital's League of Friends have expressed concern that the number of in-patient beds could be reduced and that casualty's opening hours could also be reduced.

Among the new services proposed is a day hospital for the elderly and services for children and youngster.