The man went onto the roof early on Monday

John Hornby began his protest at about 0900 BST with a banner reading Save Prestatyn Community Hospital.

The hospital's closure is due to be discussed at a meeting of Denbighshire Local Health Board (LHB) on Wednesday.

The LHB said the chief executives of the board and the trust would be willing to meet Mr Hornby.

The porter said he wanted the LHB meeting on Wednesday, due to be held in Rhyl, to be postponed and moved to a venue in Prestatyn.

He has demanded a meeting between First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Wales Secretary Peter Hain, Welsh Health Secretary Brian Gibbons, the League of Friends and the action group before a decision is reached.

Mr Morgan, who plans to remain on the roof overnight, also said he did not want to see any repercussions for staff - whatever the LHB decides to do.

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

'Knee-jerk reaction'

Veronica Wells, from the action group fighting to save the hospital, said there was overwhelming local support for keeping the hospital open.

She said the rooftop protest had come about because the local health board was unwilling to listen to local people.

"I'm worried about his safety - I want someone from the LHB to listen to his demands," Mrs Wells said.

"This is a knee-jerk reaction and patients will suffer."

Mrs Wells added that although members of the action group were at the hospital to support Mr Hornby, the protest was not their idea.

In a statement, the LHB said it was committed to providing the residents of Prestatyn with "high quality patient care".

"The LHB is very conscious of the range of views from the residents of Prestatyn in relation to the future of health services for the town.

"During the recent consultation period there was a strong view from a number of residents about the future of the Prestatyn Community Hospital and the need for quality in patient care within the town.

"These views are taken on board in the recommendations that will be going to the Denbighshire LHB Board on Wednesday 10 May at which point decisions will be made by the board about the future of the hospital and services in Prestatyn."