HEALTH chiefs were today accused of running down Rossendale Hospital "by stealth" after it was announced that another ward is facing the axe.

The move was slammed by critics as just one ward for people who need overnight care would be left at the Rawtenstall hospital if Ward 11 is closed.

And in a further sign of the loss of services, hospital bosses today said food would no longer be cooked on the site.

The Lancashire Care Trust, which operates mental health services, is the only NHS authority running overnight wards at the hospital and these are leased East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Ward 11 - for adults of working age - is under review by Lancashire Care Trust because of a staff shortages. The trust closed Ward 6, which cared for people with dementia, last year while Ward 1, a rehabilitation ward, closed in August.

Trust chief executive Finlay Robertson said: "We are reviewing that ward, we have not come to a decision on it." The hospital trust also revealed food would now be sent from Burnley General. A spokeswoman said: "The reason is to provide value for money while continuing to give a good service."

But the news was greeted with anger by critics who said they feared a slow death for the site. Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson said she was 'concerned', and Rossendale Council leader Duncan Riddick said: "It seems to be closure by stealth. People will be against any reduction in service."

Borough councilor Janet Graham, who organises patient transport, said: "It is busy in the day but it is like a ghost hospital at night."