Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard is to recruit town and parish councils in his fight to stop any downgrading of the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, it was revealed today.

Mr Pritchard has written to town and parish councils across east Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin urging them to move a motion of support recognising the PRH’s “dedicated staff and the need to protect existing services”.

The Tory MP has also called on communities to get behind his Save The PRH campaign, which has to date seen more than 10,000 people sign a petition.

Mr Pritchard’s actions come after it was claimed on Tuesday that acute services were set to be transferred out to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the PRH downgraded.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Councillor Andrew Eade, who made the claim, told health chiefs that it was “a matter of major concern”.

Today Mr Pritchard said: “I have been overwhelmed with people supporting my Save the PRH campaign. We must keep key services at the PRH, including overnight children’s services. Shrewsbury is too far for many families, especially those with life threatening and acute illnesses.”

Mr Pritchard, who is planning a protest march, urged people to look at his Save The PRH campaign website at www.savetheprh.com

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust has denied any decision has yet been made and said any proposals would go to public consultation.

Trust chief executive Tom Taylor said recommendations would be presented to the county’s two PCT trusts next week.