Up to 1,000 recently demonstrated outside Llanidloes hospital

The three-month process could be postponed because of an assembly government announcement about hospitals next month and elections next May.

Powys Local Health Board (LHB) meet to discuss the possible delay on 15 November.

It plans to cut services at Bronllys, Llanidloes, Knighton and Builth Wells.

The LHB is facing a �3.5m deficit and said it has to make changes.

Its proposals to close all 18 hospital beds, a X-ray service and a maternity unit at Llanidloes has prompted protests.

An assembly government spokesman said an announcement next month about the future of community hospitals could force the LHB to amend planned changes to the NHS in Powys, and therefore delay consultation.

He said if this occurred, and with assembly elections planned for next May, the consultation could breach election guidelines which are active from 2 April.

'Highly sensitive'

They are in place to stop public organisations holding consultations or activities that could be "highly sensitive or high profile during this time".

But Conservative Mid and West Wales AM Glyn Davies accused the Labour government of being "scared of bad publicity" ahead of an election.

He added: "It looks as if the assembly government, through its civil servants, is seeking to interfere in the normal consultation process."

Chris Mann's email was sent to a number of health officials

The latest twist in the story about Powys' hospitals emerged after an email written by LHB chairman Chris Mann was sent to fellow board members and health watchdogs.

In it Mr Mann revealed the assembly government would prefer consultation to take place between June and July.

A spokesman for the assembly government told the BBC: "Given that it will take some time for local health boards to come up with their proposals or amend their proposals in light of this guidance (next month), their plans may not be ready in time for the full consultation to be completed before the pre-election period."