RESIDENTS are being invited to a protest outside Redditch Town Hall following downgrades to Redditch's embattled Alexandra Hospital.

Organised by Save the Alex Campaign, the mass gathering will take place at 6.15pm (Ollie's Eatery side) on Monday, July 25, just before a full council meeting.

The aim is to ensure councillors know the public's views prior to a vote on a cross party motion.

The motion, proposed by Councillor Bill Hartnett and seconded by Councillor Juliet Brunner, calls on health bosses to host a series of public consultation events and along with Redditch and

Bromsgrove CCG chief operating officer attend the previously agreed Redditch Borough Council's Health Commission to address concerns.

It also says it will write to UHB and the women and children's trusts in Birmingham to ask its views on the ongoing Alex saga.

It comes after the paediatric department at Redditch's Alex Hospital is set to close with services moved to Worcester.

The move, slammed by Save the Alex Campaign, means sick children will no longer be able to be treated overnight at the Alex.

Instead all in-patient care for children will be carried out at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Described as ‘temporary’ health bosses say say they've been forced to make changes because of safety concerns.