FIVE hundred people took to the streets of Devizes to protest against the possible closure of Devizes and Malmesbury maternity units.

Mothers and children walked from Devizes Maternity Unit through the centre of town displaying placards and shouting "Save our Maternity Units."

The march was led by a vintage bus owned by Newsquest, the Gazette & Herald's parent company.

The march ended at the headquarters of the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Pans Lane, Devizes.

Gazette editor Gary Lawrence, along with mothers, presented a Gazette petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for the maternity units at Devizes and Malmesbury to be saved.

Tim Boucher, the chairman of the PCT, received the petition and said he was delighted at the massive show of support.

He and Phil Day, the PCT's director of community services, then spent an hour talking to a group of mothers and individuals who took part in the march.

Mr Boucher said the PCT had made no decisions about closure of any facilities but would be publishing proposals in March with decisions being made on May 22.

Services such as maternity, minor injuries departments and in patient beds are under threat as the PCT has to cut £10million.

Mr Boucher said after the protest march: "I was very impressed with the number of people who took part in the march.

"We really value their comments, suggestions and questions and we will be incorporating them into the consultation document we produce."

Referring to the 10,000 name petition Mr Boucher said: "I am very pleased that we have a clear indication of the strength of feeling. It gives us a good guide as to how people value the maternity services."