CAMPAIGNERS battling for a new hospital in Malvern are keeping their fingers crossed that their dream will move one step closer tomorrow.

Health chiefs at South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust are expected to be given the nod by the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to proceed with the tender process and find a partner to come up with a viable solution for a new facility in the town.

Once a suitable partner has been selected, an Outline Business Case can then be drawn up and presented to the SHA.

At a meeting of the SHA's performance committee on Wednesday, May 3, Paul Bates, the acting chief executive of the PCT, confirmed that Malvern Community Hospital is part of the 2006 to 2008 local delivery plan and that the concept is supported by other NHS partners in the area.

Coun Pat Merrick, chairman of Malvern Hospital League of Friends, said she was delighted that the SHA had recommended the plans are moved on a stage.

"I hope that when the meeting happens the SHA will see fit to allow health chiefs to progress," she said. "The sooner the PCT hurries up and it goes back out to tender the sooner we get some action.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed as we've had good news before and things are still no further forward.

No one from the PCT was available to comment.