They voted overwhelmingly in support of a resolution to keep the Walnuttree Hospital in Sudbury, Suffolk, open until 2007.

That is when a new health centre with 40 beds is due to open but it is feared the hospital could close immediately if it fails a fire safety inspection.

Hospital supporters also agreed to form an action group to fight any closure.

South Suffolk MP Tim Yeo says he shares the town's concern and is tabling a question in the House of Commons about the hospital's future, in particular the fear that fire safety may be being used as a reason to close it before approval has been given for its replacement.

Downing Street petition

He is to ask the Secretary of State for Health and the hospitals trust to make public Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service's report.

The 160 members of staff, backed the union Unison, are also fighting to keep the hospital, which provides long-term residential care for the elderly and some outpatient services.

Despite recent work to improve the safety of patients, managers of the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust are worried that inspectors will say the risks are still too great.

The report on the safety of the former Victorian workhouse, which dates from 1836, will be delivered at the end of November.

If it fails, the 60 patients will be moved out of Walnuttree immediately and the trust has said it would be looking to secure jobs.

"Hands Off Our Hospital" campaigners, who have been gathering signatures in support of efforts to keep the hospital open, are to go to Downing Street on Wednesday to hand in a petition.