PRIME Minister Tony Blair is set to be challenged tomorrow over the planned ward closures at Evesham Community Hospital.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has landed the rare opportunity to challenge Mr Blair at Prime Minister's Questions over the need for £4m in cuts at the hospital.

Ministers insist they have increased NHS funding and refuse to tell local health chiefs how to spend it. But Mr Luff has obtained figures from the Department of Health proving patients get less money spent on them in Worcestershire than in other areas.

He said: "It's a great opportunity to ensure that the Prime Minister himself understands the seriousness of what's happening at local level in the NHS."

Meanwhile, the views of thousands of people who joined a mass rally against proposed cuts at the hospital will be listened to, say health chiefs.

Some 3,000 campaigners filled Evesham Market Square on Sunday in protest.

The protest was against proposals by Mike Ridley, chief executive of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, to close the Willows specialist stroke unit and Bredon orthopaedic rehabilitation ward and withdrawing some GP services as part of the cost-cutting exercise.

Eighteen thousand people have signed a petition.

Mr Ridley said: "I think all expressions of interest are useful. It is good to see the strength of local feeling."

He is now due to present a report to the Trust board on Wednesday, August 3, when a decision on the proposals and need for public consultation will be made.