A PARTY being organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Alexandra Hospital has been cancelled amid controversy that it was a "tactless" idea when uncertainty still surrounds the future of many jobs.

But one of the hospital's matrons, Joanne Mitchell, said it was "with great regret" they had to cancel the staff reunion at the Corus Hotel in Hopwood in November.

Plans for the reunion came under fire in April after a member of staff contacted the Advertiser criticising the party organisers for being "insensitive" and "tactless" following the announcement the cash-strapped hospital trust needed to axe more than 700 jobs.

But Mrs Mitchell said: "After this person said the party was tactless, interest for ticket sales dropped off and we were not able to guarantee the numbers we would have liked so it had to be cancelled.

"This was a party being arranged by staff, for the staff and being paid for by staff. It had nothing to do with the trust and it is with a lot of disappointment we have had to cancel it.

"We apologise to those who have already bought tickets and to all those who had requested tickets."

However, a smaller dinner for staff is still being held at the same venue on October 6.

"This will be a much smaller scale event than what was originally planned but we still wanted to have some sort of get-together for staff, past and present, who wanted to attend."

Staff who have already paid for tickets can have a refund or rebook for the new event.

For more details, call Mrs Mitchell on 507995.