More than 28,000 people have pledged their support to our campaign to keep breast cancer services in Brighton and Hove.

Last night the figure stood at 19,000 but this morning a large number of completed forms were delivered to The Argus offices and the Friends of the Nigel Porter Unit for Breast Care.

Since we launched the campaign two weeks ago, readers have rallied to protest at proposals to transfer the Nigel Porter Unit for Breast Care to Haywards Heath.

Today, we were presenting more than 28,000 signatures to Candy Morris, chief executive of West Sussex Health Authority.

Leonie Petrarca, who has been collecting signatures, said: "We have been really surprised and it's an amazing figure. They have to listen now."

Today is the last day for people to comment on the proposal to move the service.

The petitions have been completed by doctors, pensioners, men, women and thousands of people from across the county, including Haywards Heath, Worthing, Eastbourne and dozens of other towns and villages.

Some have rallied neighbours, friends and work colleagues to complete the forms.

Others who have suffered or lost loved ones to breast cancer have visited events and asked people to add their signatures.

Elderly readers have sent forms in with just a single name, asking to be part of the growing campaign.

Shops and businesses have placed petitions in their reception areas, including The Black Lion Hotel and Harvester, Patcham, the Inland Revenue, Goring, and Glenda's Hair Fashion, Saltdean.

Labour councillors in Brighton and Hove have also signed.

A reader in Chicago, USA, completed a petition she downloaded from our web site and posted it to us.