Sylvia Emmott, Mayor of Kendal, said: “I’m appalled at the idea.

“People will die on their way to hospital in Lancaster if that’s what they have to do. The government doesn’t understand what it’s like living in a rural community.

"Public transport is expensive and those who do drive can’t always park when they get to Lancaster. I urge people to sign the Gazette’s petition and I will also be signing it myself.”

Alan Price, spokesman for the South Lakes Health Action group, said: “We should be very interested in what sort of hospital services we’ve got locally and be very vocal in our comments about any new NHS service model proposed if it results in a reduction in service there. I would encourage people to sign the petition and to take a keen interest in any changes.”

Dr David Earnshaw, a retired GP who still works at the hospital as a duty doctor, said: “The problem is we don’t know what they’re proposing. They need to be honest about what they’re actually considering. We don’t want any hidden agendas and cloak-and- dagger and fait accomplis. I will back the Gazette campaign and will write to Jackie Daniel to try to find out what’s going on.”

Matthew Severn, a Kendal Town Councillor who has previously campaigned on health issues in South Lakeland, said: “I really support the campaigns by the Gazette and Tim Farron to keep ‘hands off our hospital’.

"Westmorland General Hospital is a fantastic, first-rate site with the potential to have a great future. There are many specialist clinics and services, like radiotherapy, that should be there. Please everyone, sign the petition.”

Sheila Burgess, a former patient of WGH, who lives at Undercliff Road, Kendal, said: “They provided me with excellent care when I needed it and have done so ever since. At awful times the staff have been wonderful. To go anywhere else for treatment would be horrific.

"There are enough people here to justify keeping services – it’s not like the area it serves is a small village. I would urge people to sign the Gazette’s petition.”

Furness MP John Woodcock said: “People across south Cumbria rely on West- morland General to provide a high standard of specialist and emergency care: any reduction in the services provided on the site could lead to unacceptably extended journey times for patients and their families.

"In rural areas like ours, we need to fight hard to maintain a network of high-quality, fully-equipped local hospitals. I fully support the Gazette’s campaign.”