Campaigners battling to keep a Braintree maternity unit open around the clock have been forced to cancel a 24-hour vigil because of a lack of protesters.

The Braintree Mothers' Support Group planned to hold a sit-in outside William Julien Courtauld (WJC), in London Road, Braintree, starting today and ending on Saturday.

But they cancelled the event following a poor response to their requests for support.

Mothers in and around Braintree are trying to force hospital bosses to keep the unit open day and night, as opposed to normal daytime hours with a midwife on call when it is closed.

The 24-hour vigil was the latest weapon after a march and mass demonstration, but the mothers' support group could not get confirmed numbers for it.

Helen Mellor, of the group, said: "It's very unfortunate. We just have not had enough people wanting to take part. There was a lack of interest really."

Published Friday, September 3, 2004

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