Another hospital march?

And Sir Paul McCartney has added his voice to those wanting to protect vital services at the hospital.

The former Beatle, who lives at Peasmarsh, said: "Any cut back in medical services for this and any other region is a real shame.

"These are services for the people of the area and I for one support the efforts of the people who are trying to make sure that these closures don't happen."

Back in 1990 Sir Paul took to the streets of Rye to lead a huge protest march in a bid to prevent the closure of the town's hospital.

He is still a patron of Rye Memorial Care Centre, which replaced the old hospital.

Rye area residents were among thousands who took part in a protest march along the seafront at Hastings last week.

Among them was Rye Mayor Paul Osborne, who said: "As far as I am concerned, to take away services could mean the difference between life and death."

Town councillor Peter Dyce said: "I would support a Rye protest whole-heartedly.

"I have written to the chief executive Candy Morris and to the Secretary of State for Health, but have not yet had meaningful replies.

"I am 100 per cent in favour of doing all we can to frustrate any attempt to cut back the splendid services at the Conquest Hospital."

Rye resident David Clarke said: "We should organise our own protest here. It is places like Rye, and the rural villages, which would be worst hit.

"It is a basic, fundamental thing that people should have easy access to hospital services, especially important ones like casualty and maternity.

"It is not just the inconvenience, it is the suffering and distress involved if someone from Camber injures themselves and then has to endure a two-hour bus journey before they even get to hospital."

Rye councillor Keith Taylor, a retired medical consultant, said: "I am totally against any cuts. The medical profession is divided, but all the doctors I have spoken to are against this.

"It comes down to the fact that individuals do not have a say in determining local health policies."

Patient groups in the Rye area have added their voice to the protest. Harry Payne, chairman of the Northiam and Broad Oak surgeries patients group, said: "We have serious concerns. Getting to Eastbourne by public transport would be virtually impossible.

"Recognising that not everyone is in the position of owning their own transport, the time taken to travel to the hospital would be three hours each way and involve four buses. This journey is only possible Monday to Saturday - so no visits at all on Sundays."