Tenby's Mayor and Deputy Mayor are set to present a petition to the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday, opposing the Hywel Dda Health Board's proposals to close the Minor Injuries Unit in Tenby.

Both the South East Pembrokeshire Community Health Network (SEPCHN) and Tenby Town Council combined to launch the petition and an online petition calling on the National Assembly for Wales to ensure the proposals set out in the Health Board's document referring to closure of the MIU at Tenby Cottage Hospital, are not carried out.

Speaking at Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, the town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, told members that the petition had drawn in excess of 1,100 signatures and that the Welsh Assembly's Petitions Committee had resolved to write to the Hywel Dda Health Board regarding the proposals.

It was confirmed at the meeting that Mayor, Clr. Trevor Hallett, and his Deputy, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, along with a representative from SEPCHN, would travel up to the Senedd to present the petition.

Ahead of the meeting, councillors met with Angela Watwood, head of community, health and social services with Pembrokeshire County Council and the Hywel Dda Health Board.

Councillors voiced their concerns to her regarding the Health Board's proposals as part of its 'Your Health/Your Future' consultation on the future of NHS services in the area, and expressed how vitally important the Cottage Hospital facility in Gas Lane was to the community of Tenby and the area in general.

"All we want is for you to realise our commitment to the building and work with you to make sure that this wonderful £6 million facility works for 52 weeks of the year. The hospital is so valuable to the community and we want to maximise its usage for the whole area, not just Tenby," said Clr. Mike Evans.