There has been mounting speculation that Hartlepool's University Hospital will close as part of a health review.

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

But NHS trust officials have cast doubt on a statement by Health Secretary John Reid, in which he said "hospital services" would remain in Hartlepool.

Street protests have been held in Hartlepool against the possible closure of the hospital.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Reid said: "I firmly believe that there will be a full, proper hospital service in the town after the review."

'Play on words'

Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson echoed Mr Reid's statement.

But the County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority said it understood Dr Reid was "not necessarily talking about a bricks and mortar hospital in the town, but saying that there will be a hospital service."

Keith Fisher, former president of the Hartlepool Constituency Labour Party and a long time campaigner to keep the hospital open, said: "Taken at face value this is very encouraging to us, because at least we are being discussed at the highest level.

"But if this is a spin, if this is a play on words, then they are trifling with integrity and it is despicable.

"I will be very disappointed if this is a play on words.

"I would rather be positive and think that a statement has been made that we are keeping our hospital."

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.