A DEMONSTRATION has been held over plans to close the accident department at King George Hospital.

Under plans put forward by Redbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT), emergencies would be sent to Romford or Leytonstone.

More than 100 people took part in the protest, organisers said.

Protesters said they mounted a petition and collected 400 signatures during the event in Ilford town centre and aim to obtain 20,000 before a public meeting next year.

The PCT has said it will hold "wide-reaching" consultations.

Wilson Chowdhary, who organised the demonstration on Saturday, said there needed to be more consultation particularly with local health professionals.

Mr Chowdhary said Redbridge residents would have to travel either to Queens Hospital in Romford or Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone.

He added that patients' lives could be put at risk because of longer journeys.

Redbridge councillors approved an all-party motion on Thursday last week, saying they were “particularly concerned at the proposals with regard to accident and emergency provision and the risks that this may have for local residents".

The PCT has said the demonstration showed “the commitment residents and their representatives have to their local NHS.”

A spokesman said: "What local people think about our plans is very important to us, which is why we will be holding a wide-reaching public consultation.

"We hope that local people - and their representatives - will be as keen to participate and give us their views on our plans once the official consultation process is under way."