Activists are due to stage the demonstration in Hartlepool's Victory Square on 8 May.

The action follows speculation about the town's University Hospital's future amid a review by health chiefs.

Proposals include axing the Hartlepool site and another in Stockton to build a new �175m facility north of the Tees within 10 years.

General hospital

Although no decisions have yet been, made a suggested site for the proposed hospital is Wynyard business park, near Hartlepool.

Geoff Lilley, from the Save Our Hospital campaign, said: "We are expecting a lot of support for the demonstration on Saturday.

"People in Hartlepool and East Durham want to maintain general services in a general hospital.

"They don't want to have to travel many more miles either for accident and emergency or any other service.

"The hospital has excellent links with the forming mining villages in East Durham and it vital for these people that Hartlepool remains."

Hartlepool Borough and Easington District councils have backed the campaign to retain the Hartlepool site.

The Strategic Health Authority has said a site for any new hospital would only be chosen after examining the costs and benefits to patients.