A dozen people left Marlborough in a coach at 6.30am today to travel to the High Court in London with hospital camapaigner Val Compton.

Over the next four days Mr Justice Ross Cranston will hear arguments for and against the closure of the minor injuries unit and day hospital at Savernake Hospital.

The two units were closed two years ago since when Mrs Compton, who formerly worked at Savernake Hospital as a physiotherapist, has led a legal battle to overturn the decision of NHS Wiltshire to close them.

Today will be the seventh time Mrs Compton and her legal team have appeared in court. She is supported by a four-strong team all giving their services free of charge: Neil Garnham QC, supported by barristers Guy Opperman, Mathew Gullick and Caroline Stone.

NHS Wiltshire’s legal team is headed by Philip Havers QC, whose actor brother Nigel lives near Marlborough.

Arriving at court this morning, Mrs Compton, 62, was upbeat about the outcome of the judicial review hearing expected to last four days.

She said: “I have total confidence in my legal team who have worked tirelessly. I have put my complete faith in them.”

Speaking to the group of supporters from Marlborough she said: “Fingers crossed everybody, we are nearly there.”