The proposed cuts by Dyfed Powys Health Authority would be made to avoid having to close any of the region's 10 hospitals.

BBC Wales's Steve Jones reports on plans to cut up to 100 beds

Some of the units in Powys have been threatened with closure in the face of a huge budget deficit.

Health officials were meeting behind closed doors to consider the plans.

A campaign opposing any hospital closures in rural Powys has been going on since the health authority warned some may have to close in order to save money.

It is hoped Llanidloes hospital can be kept open

But confidential plans by the health trust propose keeping open all 10 hospitals, such as Llanidloes, but at the cost of losing between 80 and 100 beds, at a saving of �1.5m.

Campaigners said they were relieved the hospitals would stay open but feared the savings estimates are "over optimistic" and were concerned that specialist services will suffer.

Meanwhile, residents pressing for out-of-hours ambulance cover in mid Wales were to present a petition to the health authority during the meeting.