A Blackpool hospital ward which looked set to close has been given an 11th hour reprieve after a last minute deal between two NHS trusts.

Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals Trust has agreed with Blackpool Primary Care Trust to avoid a temporary closure of the Nurse-led Ward at South Shore Hospital.

The 20 bed unit, which works with patients who no longer need acute hospital treatment but who do need regular therapy from a nurse, had been earmarked for closure as the hospitals trust struggles to cope with a £5.8 million financial deficit.

But what the two trusts call 'close and co-operative joint working' will be used to secure the future of the facility.

Jayne Mottershead, deputy director of nursing and quality for the hospitals trust, said: "We are extremely grateful to have the support of Blackpool PCT who recognise the contribution of the nurse-led unit to the care of patients with long term conditions.

We are delighted that the facility will remain open for the benefit of patients across the Fylde Coast."

The two trusts intend to work together over the next few months to look at how nurse-led facilities can be developed and look at ways to meet government targets for managing long term conditions and services for older people.

Other wards affected by the closure programme include the minor injuries unit and Ashley Ward at Lytham Hospital, Rossall Day Hospital and Rossall's rehabilitation unit and the Kemp Ward at Fleetwood Hospital.

The closures, which came under fire from local MPs and councillors when they were first announced last month, will be reviewed next February.