Mr Hornby said the community would organise further protests

Denbighshire Local Health Board (LHB) have ruled that the 12 bed unit will close, and be replaced with specialised housing units and community nursing.

As John Hornby came down from the roof at 1300 BST on Wednesday, he was greeted by applause from supporters.

He said the battle to save the hospital was still not over.

Members of the LHB voted to go ahead with the closure of the hospital at a meeting held in Rhyl on Wednesday.

The way they have treated the staff of this hospital and the people of Prestatyn is a disgrace John Hornby

LHB chairman Meirion Hughes said the decision to close the hospital was a "major step forward."

He described the hospital as a "building which is clearly dated and not suited to 21st Century services."

Mr Hughes added: "We are proposing to invest heavily in expanding the volume and range of services in the community, within people's own homes."

A dozen campaigners, including nurses for the hospital, attended the meeting of the LHB, although not all of them were admitted.

"Foregone conclusion"

Veronica Wells, from the Save Chatworth House action group said she was worried staff would now leave the hospital and vacancies would have to be filled by bank nurses.

She said: "It was a foregone conclusion. These people were never going to listen to the people of Prestatyn."

Public meetings to discuss the future of the hospital have been held in the town since the consultation was launched last year.

Ms Wells said: "Perhaps the LHB has listened, but taken no notice. The information from the consultation is in black and white.

"It's not what the people want. I think we should get rid of LHBs and have our hospital expanded."

Mr Hornby began his protest at 0900 BST on Monday with a banner reading Save Prestatyn Community Hospital.

As he came down from the roof he addressed a small crowd of supporters.

He said: "Hopefully the community of Prestatyn will take note from what has happened today and we will all get together and organise a march, or something, just to let them know the feelings of the whole community.

"It's been a total whitewash, and the way they have treated the staff of this hospital and the people of Prestatyn is a disgrace and they should be ashamed of themselves.

"They are like sharks that just go after anything that's lying there, feebly waiting to be attacked.

"Once these people get their claws into you the community just does not count."

Mr Hornby had requested the LHB meeting be held in Prestatyn.

He had also demanded a meeting between First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Welsh secretary Peter Hain, health minister Dr Brian Gibbons, the league of friends and the action group before a decision was made.