More than 200 people are expected to form a human chain at a closure-threatened Shrewsbury town centre medical practice on Saturday.

The Riverside Medical Practice in Smithfield Road, which caters for about 11,500 patients, is due to be knocked down in 13 months time. It will make way for the proposed multi-million pound New Riverside shopping centre, which would link three malls into one giant complex.

But campaigners at the practice say it is vital another town centre location is found for a new surgery.

They have lobbied Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) to ensure it considered funding for a new town centre surgery as a priority.

And on Saturday staff, patients and Shrewsbury’s MP Daniel Kawczynski are all set to join hands round the surgery in protest to highlight the importance of keeping a medical practice in the town centre.

Riverside Surgery’s practice manager Martin Cousins said that, judging by the number of patients who had e-mailed pledging their attendance on Saturday, the event should be a big success.

He said: “We are confident of having enough hands to span the surgery – at least once round.

“The people who come here and link their hands around the surgery are demonstrating that they care about the practice.

“They are making it known they want to stay with their chosen GP and hope a new home can be found for the surgery which they can still get to as easily.”

The project has also been backed by Kate Gittins, of Shrewsbury Market Hall, who will be attending Saturday’s event.

She said: “We at the market wholeheartedly support the Riverside Surgery’s campaign to get rehoused by the PCT in town centre premises.

“Everyone knows that moving vital services out can be the death knell of town centres and although we have a vibrant and thriving centre here in Shrewsbury, we cannot afford to be complacent.”

The human chain event will start at 12.35pm at the surgery.

It has already been judged too small for its current use by the PCT.

Talks have taken place about the possibility of finding a space for the medical practice inside the £150million New Riverside development.

But campaigners have claimed this offer is currently unrealistic, as the rents payable there are too high.