A MASS demonstration has been organised in a final push to bring radiotherapy services to South Lakeland.

It is hoped that more than 1,000 people will take to Kendal’s streets to demand health bosses seal the deal on a unit at the town’s Westmorland General Hospital.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron will lead a public walk from Abbot Hall, at Kirkland, at 12.30am, on Saturday, March 3.

Campaigners will then rally to the Birdcage, on Finkle Street, before Mr Farron hands the results of hugely successful petitions to key decision makers.

More than 8,500 people have already added their names to petitions asking for a nearer radiotherapy treatment centre to the current Preston site.

Mr Farron collected signatures, in conjunction with The Westmorland Gazette’s Shorter Journeys – Longer Lives campaign, in a joint effort to convince the NHS Collaborative Commission to commit to a base at Kendal.

Support for the campaign continues to grow, with more signatures coming in each week.

Health bosses still have to decide on the £12 million unit at Westmorland General Hospital which has the potential to drastically cut journey times for cancer patients who have to drive up to 100 miles to Royal Preston Hospital.

Mr Farron said: “The fact we now have more than 8,000 local people joining the campaign calling for radiotherapy services to be brought to Westmorland General, is a fantastic testimony to the strength of our case.

“Our campaign to win a radiotherapy unit for Westmorland General Hospital will allow patients to not have to travel debilitating distances and instead to be close to friends and family at a time when they most need their support.