THE Comet s petition to save acute services at Lister Hospital has attracted more than 7,000 signatures in just three weeks. Letters, emails and petition vouchers have been flooding in since we started our campaign and the total number of signatures recei

THE Comet's petition to save acute services at Lister Hospital has attracted more than 7,000 signatures in just three weeks.

Letters, emails and petition vouchers have been flooding in since we started our campaign and the total number of signatures received now stands at an amazing 7,028.

We launched our petition after it was announced that acute and emergency services will be centralised at either Lister or the QEII in Welwyn Garden City.

The centralised site will receive an investment of around £200m while the other hospital will be left with scaled-down services.

Among those signing up to our campaign are Class 6 of Norton St Nicholas Primary School on the outskirts of Letchworth GC.

The whole class designed eye-catching posters with slogans explaining why Lister should keep its acute services.

A young boy called Arun wrote: "When I had broken my arm I went to Lister Hospital and all the doctors were really nice to me and really kind.

"It's the best in the whole world."

Alexandra Lightfoot's poster said: "Lister Hospital is where my mummy gets most of her blood tests done, my mum would have to travel for about half an hour for one blood test if the hospital goes."

There is still time to add your name to the petition. Fill in the coupon below or go online to our website www.thecomet.net to sign up, or pop into our office in Primett Road, Stevenage.

You can also log on to www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/stevenage