SUPPORTERS of Ealing Hospital turned out in force today (Saturday) to send a powerful message of opposition to NHS cuts.

Thousands joined marches in Acton and Southall in protest at proposals to close the accident and emergency department and downgrade it to local hospital status.

The Southall March passed Ealing Hospital with around 2,000 people taking part, at least several hundred in Acton. Buses, vans and cars sounded their horns in support.

Gazette reporter Rupert Basham tweeted that there was a "strong sense the community is all in this together, and that these closures are a matter of life death".

The marches arrived at Ealing Common to be welcomed by a steel band and crowds were addressed by the leaders of Ealing's three main political parties - Julian Bell for Labour, David Millican (Conservative) and Gary Malcolm (Lib Dem).

Other speakers included Mary Turner (GMB President), Shirley Franklin from Save Whittington Hospital, Dr Onkar Sahota, Ealing's representative on the Greater London Authority, and Ealing MPs Steve Pound and Angie Bray.

See the Gazette website on Monday for a fuller report and reaction, plus more pictures from the march.