PARAMEDICS have "very serious concerns" about plans to move serious emergency cases to Blackburn, Burnley MP Kitty Ussher told a public meeting in her town last night.

Speaking after she met paramedics in private yesterday afternoon, the MP told health bosses that crews were under resourced and had deep worries about taking people to Queen's Park Hospital instead of Burnley General.

The public are being asked on two options for the future of services at the two sites yet both have serious "blue light" cases going to Blackburn only.

But at a heated public meeting health bosses defended the plans and said people would get faster, better treatment as more top doctors would be on one site.

After a presentation on the plans Mrs Ussher said: "I feel I am speaking for the local people and I have to say I don't think you have made your case.

"I don't see how it can be better to travel further when you are critically ill.

"I am deeply concerned about what is being proposed."

Speaking about her three-hour meeting with front line paramedics at Burnley Ambulance Station, Mrs Ussher added: "They have very very serious concerns about what is being proposed."

Crews said they were "over-stretched" and "very often" went out without a single paramedic on board, she added.

To applause, the Labour MP finished: "I don't want to be talking to the family of the person whose life has been stopped because they got stuck on the M65."

About 80 people packed into last night's meeting at Burnley Town Hall with very little good to say about the plans.

But senior doctors and managers said doctors were spread too thinly between the two hospitals, meaning people would often not get the best treatment as quickly as possible.

Jo Cubbon, chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "People think because they have an A&E in their town that is the most important thing.

"The most important thing is that when you get to an acute hospital you are seen by a consultant."

"I would love to be able to stand here and say we can provide full blown A&E in Burnley and Blackburn. I'm saying we can't do that."

l Another public meeting will be held tonight at Nelson Council Chambers, Market Street at 6pm.