A BOLTON MP has written to health chiefs to call for the Royal Bolton Hospital to become a super centre for the care of babies and children.

Bolton North-east MP David Crausby is committed to ensuring the Princess Anne maternity ward becomes one of three super neo-natal, maternity and children's centres in the Greater Manchester area.

He has written to the panel of experts who have drawn up the plans and placed his support behind Bolton.

In his letter, he said: "I would like to add my strong support to the option for change that would include a neo-natal intensive-care unit for the Royal Bolton Hospital.

"I believe the expertise and dedication of staff at the hospital would be invaluable in maintaining and expanding the current high levels of service and care provided to children, young people, parents and babies both in Bolton and throughout the review area."

The Bolton Evening News launched the Back the Baby Unit campaign in support of the hospitals case - and more than 1,000 readers have so far added their support.

Mr Crausby visited the children's outpatient clinic at the hospital to meet some of the youngsters being treated.

He said: "I'm very supportive of the Bolton Evening News Back The Baby Unit campaign."

Children's clinic team leader Melanie Hinks said: "There's the potential to do a lot more here. I think Bolton would be an excellent choice."

Regional health chiefs are planning a £31 million investment in maternity, neo-natal and childrens services to create the three super centres in the region.

If Bolton, which is the second busiest maternity ward in Greater Manchester, is chosen as one of the super centres, its facilities will expand, as well as the number of specially trained staff.

If it is not chosen, the current neo-natal ward will close, and critically ill babies will be transferred out of the borough.

A public consultation period runs until April 13. You can view the proposals by visiting www.bestforhealth.nhs.uk or by attending local events, details of which can be obtained by calling Veronica Swinburne on 01204 907717 or Heather Edwards on 01204 390363.

You can support the Back the Baby Unit campaign by filling in the coupon above and returning it to our offices in Churchgate, Bolton.