A rallying cry has gone out for people to take to the streets and support their hospital.

The campaign to protect services at Worthing Hospital holds its first public march and meeting on Wednesday and organisers want as many as possible to turn out.

Worthing is at risk of losing vital facilities such as accident and emergency and maternity which campaigners say will put lives at risk and other hospitals in Sussex under extreme pressure. The fight is not only being waged by residents, councillors and MPs but by senior consultants and other hospital staff who say people in the town and the villages beyond deserve better.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton said: "We must send out an unmistakable and resounding message to the strategic health authority which would put financial considerations ahead of the lives of people in Worthing and Adur by chopping vital health services."

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley said: "We are calling for a massive turnout. Don't leave it to others, the fight to save your hospitals is now and we need you to come and join us so that there can be no doubt about the strength of feeling."

South East Coast Strategic Health Authority is reviewing all hospital services in Sussex as part of plans to save more than £100 million.

No firm proposals have been drawn up but it believes hospitals including Worthing, St Richard's in Chichester, Princess Royal in Haywards Heath, Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards risk being downgraded.

Changes could mean longer journeys for patients to hospitals further afield such as the already under-pressure Royal Sussex County in Brighton. A public consultation on any changes drawn up will be held in the autumn.

The march will have two start points at 6pm; the bottom of George V Avenue and behind the Aquarena, converging on the Pavilion Theatre at 7pm for the meeting, which will be chaired by mayor Tom Wye.

The two Worthing MPs will be there along with Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert and Bognor and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb.

Councillors and hospital consultants will be out in force and local health bosses have also been invited to put their views across. Four recently appointed board members of the SHA, who will vote on any plans, have also been invited.

Regular updates on the Keep Worthing and Southlands Hospitals campaign can be found at www.kwash.org.uk