The primary care trust is to meet next Tuesday

The six midwives and six care assistants say most staff at Devizes unit do not support its closure.

The site, plus a unit in Malmesbury, could be shut and services transferred to Chippenham and Trowbridge.

The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust's (PCT) board is due to meet on Tuesday to discuss plans and it is understood it will back the proposals.

Helen Cosslett, who has been a midwife at Devizes for almost 10 years, said staff feared the quality of maternity care in the town would suffer if the unit were to close.

'Need more time'

"We feel absolutely saddened by (the prospect of) the closure and are prepared to fight on," she said.

"Even if the decision is to close the unit we will fight to the end."

The group is due to meet with Michael Ancram, the Conservative MP for Devizes, to discuss the possible closure.

The staff, who believe they will be offered roles at Chippenham and Trowbridge if their site closes, want the chance to prove to bosses that leaving the Devizes site open is a viable option.

We recognise the PCT's requirement to make financial savings, but believe firmly that short-term financial savings will be to the detriment of the long-term health care Paula Winchcombe

"We need more time to show we can make it a cost-effective, quality unit," Mrs Cosslett said.

A PCT review found that only one in three beds at Devizes and Malmesbury were used.

The trust is also understood to need to resolve a �10m deficit and this may leave it with little option but to shut the units.

Residents have campaigned to keep both sites open.

Paula Winchcombe, vice chairman of the Devizes Action to Save our Hospital group, said: "We recognise the PCT's requirement to make financial savings, but believe firmly that short-term financial savings will be to the detriment of the long-term health care benefits to the community."

A spokesman for the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust said: "We will be considering at the meeting held in public at the Corn Exchange, Devizes on 27 July, the outcome of the recent maternity consultation and deciding the future shape of maternity services across Kennet and North Wiltshire.

"West Wiltshire PCT, as the maternity provider will make sure their staff are fully informed and involved in discussing the impact of any decision that the commissioners of the service may take."