Protesters gathered at the hospital's main entrance

NHS mangers say a shortage of doctors means they have to look at closing the unit 12 hours every evening and divert patients elsewhere.

But people living in the town say they will fight to keep the service and among those protesting outside the hospital on Monday were two people who say they are only alive because of the night-time cover.

Peter Jewell of Burry Port suffered a major heart attack in June and was rushed to Prince Philip in the early hours of the morning.

"I would have died if it had not been for the A&E unit here," he said.

Peter Jewell and his partner Wendy Kane took part in the protest

"They would have had to take me to Glangwilli in Carmarthen or Morriston in Swansea and I would not have lasted.

"Llanelli should never be in the situation that it only has a cottage hospital."

Mr Jewell was in hospital for more than a month and spent two-and-a-half weeks on a respirator.

His partner Wendy Kane said: "The care and attention he had in the unit was just fantastic.

"He would have died if he had had to go further away."

Llanelli is the largest town in west Wales, west of Swansea, and campaigners say lives would be lost if the A&E unit closes at night.

Samantha Fisher and her eight-year-old daughter Hannah joined the demonstration.

Samantha Fisher and her daughter Hannah

Mrs Fisher was taken to Prince Philip after suffering complications from a tonsil operation performed elsewhere.

"If the A&E unit was closed at night I would not be here now," she said.

"It's bad enough that we do not have paediatric facilities let alone losing the A&E."

Some of the campaigners were planning on remaining at the entrance to the hospital for the rest of the day.

A march through Llanelli town centre, petition gathering and a sit-in at the next board meeting of Carmarthenshire NHS Trust, are also being considered.

Monday's demonstration attracted patients, councillors and community organisations.

Robert Thomas, vice-chairman for the Seaside Community Association said: "The question we want answered is that if there is a shortage of doctors why is it Llanelli that cannot cope and not elsewhere?

"If there was a major incident and the unit was closed then God help us."

Carmarthenshire NHS Trust says patient safety will be behind any decision to close the A&E unit at night.

A spokesman said: "The safe provision of accident and emergency services remains our paramount consideration and the continuing difficulties in the recruitment and retention of adequate numbers of medical staff has raised concerns regarding safety."