THE leader of Rossendale Council has given her full support to the petition fighting to save maternity and paediatric services at Fairfield General Hospital.

Coun Alyson Barnes has joined the 3,015 people who have already signed an e-petition urging health secretary Andrew Lansley to keep the services at the Bury-based hospital open.

The closures mean expectant mothers and children needing paediatric care from Bacup, Ramsbottom, Edenfield, Stacksteads, Whitworth, Facit and Shawforth would have to travel more than 10 miles to the Royal Blackburn Hospital or Rochdale Royal Infirmary.

Coun Barnes said: “People in Rossendale want choice in health services.

“Some will want to use the midwife-led birthing unit at the new health care centre in Rawtenstall but some want the reassurance of being in a hospital setting.

"Keeping the maternity unit at Fairfield Hospital in Bury is vital to patient choice.”

The e-petition has been set up by Fairfield Baby Lifeline Society vice-chairman Sharron Entwistle and is available to sign until November 10.

The decision to shut the unit in March is part of a multi-million pound reorganisation of Greater Manchester’s women’s children’s and neonatal services.

Coun Barnes is now urging others to sign the petition.

She said: “I’m backing the petition and I urge all Rossendale residents to do the same.”

Alison Highland, from Ramsbottom, has welcomed Coun Barnes’ support after she almost died giving birth to her baby daughter Sophie after suffering a placental abruption.

The 26-year-old mother is fearful other mothers will be put at risk if the closure goes ahead.

Mrs Highland said: “My daughter and I wouldn’t be alive if we hadn’t got to the hospital so quickly.

“The consultant said we survived by just two minutes.

"For the first few days, I just couldn’t stop thinking about what would have happened if we’d had to stop at a traffic light or something else had delayed us.”

To sign the petition visit the website below.