Campaigners say Tenby's hospital may close in October

Health service managers in Pembrokeshire need to find savings of �2.4m during this financial year.

One of the options under consideration is shutting the 16-bed cottage hospital - possibly by October.

A spokeswoman for Pembrokeshire NHS Trust stressed no decision had been taken, but confirmed several different solutions were being considered.

"We are looking at a long list of options to address the shortfall," she said.

A replacement �4m unit is being built, but campaigners said they were promised the existing hospital would not close until the new one had opened in 2006.

'Financial difficulties'

Pat Wright, chairwoman of the League of Hospital Friends, said nurses had been told the hospital may close within two months.

"It goes against the promises that the cottage hospital would remain open until the new facilities are open," she said.

"The nurses were told that the chances are the hospital will close and there will then be a review next April."

The cottage hospital operates a minor accident and injury unit, but Mrs Wright said people in Tenby would have to travel to Withybush in Haverfordwest or West Wales General at Carmarthen if the service was closed.