A RUMPUS over the name of Chorley's Hospital Trust is rumbling on.

'Central Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust' has been put forward by health bosses as the new name for Preston and Chorley Hospital Trusts after they were merged last month.

But this has sparked controversy with Chorley politicians fuming that the name excludes the town.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle and Jack Wilson, leader of Chorley Borough Council, have written to Health Minister Alan Milburn expressing their opposition to the proposed name.

They have even suggested some alternatives which include Chorley, but it is up to Lord Hunt, a health minister, to make the final decision.

Councillor Wilson said: "The name is important. Chorley is not in central Lancashire it is about as far south in Lancashire as you can get.

"This could be the thin end of the wedge as far as hospital services are concerned."

Mr Hoyle said: "It is a meaningless name because it doesn't include Chorley and, in fact, excludes the people of Chorley. Chorley has not been part of central Lancashire since 1974.

A spokesperson for the Chorley and South Ribble and the Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trusts said: "The name of the new trust remains to be finalised after seeking the views of key stakeholders. A report has to be with the Minister for Health by June 14.

"Following the Minister's decision on the name, the new trust will be established.

"The timescale for this process will be decided by the Minister for Health."

The new trust will provide a full range of hospital services and a wide range of specialist acute services for the whole of Lancashire and into Cumbria.

It will be the only Teaching Hospitals Trust in the area covered by the new Strategic Health Authority for Cumbria and Lancashire.