An estimated 150 people braved the wintry conditions on Saturday to join Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Trevor Hallett, in showing their opposition to the proposed closure of Tenby Cottage Hospital's Minor Injuries Unit.

Protesters of all ages from throughout south-east Pembrokeshire joined with Clr. Hallett, fellow town, community and county councillors from the area and local AM Angela Burns to demonstrate their dismay at the Hywel Dda Health Board's recent decision to continue with plans to close the Tenby MIU and transfer its services to local GPs.

Delighted with the turnout, Clr. Hallett said that it was vital for the area that the Health Board reverse its decision.

"We must fight to retain the MIU," he told the crowd. "If we lose this, what will be next? I'm afraid that this will just be the thin edge of the wedge and even more services will be lost."

Angela Burns also backed retention of the unit, emphasising the fact that a minor injuries unit was important for more than just minor injuries in a rural community like south-east Pembrokeshire, pointing out incidents where occasionally much more serious cases were presented.

The meeting agreed that the fight to save the unit would continue, with chairman of the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network, Mr. Mansel Thomas, urging everyone to write to the Welsh Government's Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths, stressing how important the MIU was to the community.