PENDLE'S civic leaders are demanding Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt comes to Nelson Town Hall to explain plans to shake up health care.

Leading councillors have been asked for their views of four different documents detailing changes to Primary Care Trusts, Ambulance Service NHS Trusts, new strategic health authority arrangements and the review of services at Burnley General Hospital.

But councillors say they are happy with current arrangements and regionalising services will have an adverse affect on care.

Local health bosses have offered to speak to Pendle Council about the plans but members of the Executive have decided they would rather go straight to the top and are writing to Patricia Hewitt to ask her to come and tell them what is going on.

Coun Tony Greaves said: "Let's write to Patricia Hewitt and ask her to come and if not, send another minister and if they can't come let's hear from a civil servant.

"Let's hear from the organ grinder, not the monkey."

Coun John David said: "The logical extension is that if Patricia Hewitt comes the PCT and strategic health authority would be delighted to come and hear what it's all about."

Coun David Whipp added: "If she can't come, we'll ask Tony Blair."

Councillors are angry that they are being consulted on how new arrangements should be implemented, not whether changes should be made.

Council leader Coun Alan Davies said: "We shall arrange a meeting with the person at the highest level possible, starting with the Secretary of State."