SCORES of protesters gathered at the gates of Standish Hospital to call for a quick decision on plans to transform the site into a ground-breaking health centre.

Campaigners from the Standish Mutual Care Trust held the rally on Saturday to coincide with the first anniversary of the hospital's closure.

Around 60 people, including ex-patients, former staff, local residents and Stroud MP David Drew braved the cold to highlight their fight for better local health care.

There had been fears that the protesters could be accused of trespassing on Department of Health land but in the event the demonstration passed off without incident.

Dr Karin von Degenberg, who is leading the campaign, called on Government health chiefs to listen to the community.

"We have satisfied all the conditions in our bid and if the Department of Health hasn't got the message then it is simply not listening to the community.

"I hope a decision is made soon.

"We have put so much energy into this and have done everything we can."

Mr Drew, a key figure in the 17 year fight to save the hospital and supporter of the SMC bid, praised the turnout.

"It was a great turnout on a bitterly cold day," he said.

"People want to see something happen with the site and the protest was mainly to raise the issue that the SMC bid is still the best bid.

"The Government has got to make its mind up as the site continues to deteriorate."

The campaigners are one of five bidders for the site and want to see a range of services there including orthopaedics, osteopathy, dentistry and chiropody.

Having been the preferred bidders when the site was first put up for sale two years ago, SMC was astonished to find itself in a new round of bidding against private companies after the May general election.

The trust says Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt is taking too long to make a decision.

In November members sent hundreds of postcards to Ms Hewitt urging her to choose the SMC bid.