SIR - Readers will be aware of West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust's plans to reconfigure the region's emergency call centres.

The trust wants to close our local centre at Bransford, along with one at Shrewsbury, and to create two regional centres at Brierley Hill and Stafford. There would also be a support centre at Leamington Spa.

It claims the move will create a more resilient service for patients and resolve current communication problems between the five existing centres.

While staff and I fully understand the West Midlands needs a more coherent approach to tackling emergencies, we believe that the trust's plan would only jeopardise an excellent local service for local people.

As someone who once worked for the fire service in an emergency call centre, I understand the importance of local knowledge to providing first class emergency cover. The current situation needs resolving, but not at the expense of the Bransford centre.

Staff currently work 12- hour shifts. Would any responsible employer expect staff to drive to and from Worcestershire or Herefordshire through rush hour traffic around Merry Hill, making a 15-hour working day?

There must be a third way. That is why staff and I are campaigning to find a viable alternative which still provides that important local service from Bransford.

I urge all readers to visit www.saveyoureoc.co.uk and sign the petition at www.worcesternews.co.uk/onlinepetition RICHARD BURT, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, West Worcestershire.