A letter of protest was being handed in at Epsom Hospital

Two MPs joined the bed push on Saturday between St Helier hospital in Carshalton and Epsom Hospital, Surrey.

Sutton MP Paul Burstow said the trust was now being "forced to save almost twice the �24m asked of it last year".

The NHS trust said it saved �20m last year and had a �21 target next year which was about savings not overspends.

A spokeswoman said the trust's predicted �7.3m overspend this year had actually been �5.4m which was "better than predicted".

Feeling about our local hospital services ... is as strong as ever Chris Grayling MP

She said the �20m and �21m savings were about being "more efficient".

"Less people are going into hospital and more are being treated by GPs and in the community," she said.

"The trust is doing very well in turning around its finances and it is only sensible to reflect the changes in the NHS."

But campaign group Health Emergency has warned of both job and service cuts under the savings plans.

And Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling said there was now "a very real possibility that St Helier, Epsom and Guildford Hospitals will all be downgraded".

He added: "We want the NHS to realise that the strength of feeling about our local hospital services and about the future of Epsom Hospital is as strong as ever."

He said protesters were gathering at St Helier at about 0900 BST for campaign speeches before the march got under way.

A letter of protest was being delivered to the trust at Epsom Hospital at about 1300 BST.