The Tories will launch a campaign today to save district hospitals as they try to embarrass Gordon Brown and his claims that the NHS is a priority. They want to pile the pressure back on Mr Brown over an emotive issue.

The Conservatives are expected to reveal facts and figures supporting their campaign today. They claim that of the £39bn extra spending Mr Brown has announced since taking office none has been on the NHS.

In Yorkshire there has been a storm of protest since the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust announced it was making 600 staff redundant as part of plans to save £10m. Unions have been told three hospital wards will close, one in Bridlington and two at Scarborough, with the loss of 75 beds.

The trust has to make further savings of £20m over the next two years, raising the threat of further cuts. It has already been announced that maternity services are to be axed at Bridlington, Malton and Whitby in 18 months time.

There was an outcry in Huddersfield when specialist maternity services were transferred to Halifax.

Scarborough Tory MP Robert Goodwill said: "The crisis in health care in the Scarborough Hospital trust area is one which is of great concern to a great many people."

He said he was pressing for a meeting with responsible Ministers but had had no response.

Mick Pilling , chairman of Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group , said the campaign was not before time.'

"The present Government has destroyed the NHS as it was and it is high time someone in the higher part of Government scrutinised the health service. There are so many hospitals in dire straits due to finance problems," he said.

"The Government has created the problems by putting people into Cabinet posts which they know nothing about how the NHS is run. If you are going to go into a new business you need the know-how to put it on an even keel and the NHS is no different."

He added: "Lives will be put at risk. Imagine a heart attack victim having to travel 20 miles over roads which are busy with tourists in summer and icy in the winter."

Mr Pilling said if people in the area were not provided for there would be a drastic problem.

Last Updated: 20th August 2007 Report: Yorkshire Evening Post