THE Lord Mayor of Canterbury will lead a day of action march protesting at the downgrading of Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Cllr Fred Whitemore will set off from the city's Dane John Gardens at 10.30am on Saturday, November 17.

He will be followed by carnival queens and their courts from 10 towns, children who have organised their own contribution and the rest of the marchers. Carnival queens from Ash, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Herne Bay, Margate, Minster, Ramsgate, Sturry and Teynham have said they will take part to draw attention to the wide area in east Kent which will be affected by the downgrading of Kent and Canterbury.

The protestors will march past Ricemans and down through the city centre for a five-minute demonstration at 11.30am near Marks & Spencer. From there they will head to the Westgate Hall for a public meeting at noon.

Campaigning group Concern for Health in East Kent (CHEK) has organised the protest - backed by the Kentish Gazette newspaper - in conjunction with Canterbury council.

Spokesman Ken Rogers said representatives from the East Kent Health Authority and East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust had been invited to the meeting, at which health experts will answer questions from the public. "They will explain what is happening to health care in the area and talk about the forthcoming public consultation on the future of Kent and Canterbury and exactly what the options mean," Mr Rogers said.

"They will also explain about what action can be taken and how people can help to save the hospital. We hope lots of people will come along and support us because all residents of east Kent will be affected by the proposed changes.

"We hope they will come and show that we will not tolerate EKHA and the Government denigrating our local health service."

The Westgate Hall meeting will be relayed outside the building for those unable to get inside. Those wishing to take part in the march should be at the Dane John by 10am.