A petition to save Epsom Hospital’s nationally-acclaimed stroke unit has reached more than 4,500 signatures amid an ongoing review on its potential closure.

Across Surrey, stroke services are currently being reviewed and one proposal is to transfer services from Epsom to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

From September 16: Keep stroke services at Epsom Hospital plead campaigners

The petition - which can be found at change.org - was launched just three weeks ago, and looks set to smash its target of 5,000 by the start of December.

Epsom and Ewell borough councillor Jane Race, who leads the campaign, said the support for the ward shows people think closing the unit would be a ‘very dangerous move’.

Councillor Race said: "Everyone tells you that when someone’s had a stroke the most important thing is how quickly they’re able to be treated.

"It goes without saying we don’t want people travelling further in an ambulance than they need to.

"And it's the outstanding unit in the area and they want to close it.

"It’s in no-one’s interest to close the ward and there will be serious consequences."

Coun Race also said one of things people are most worried about is having to travel up to 45 minutes extra to visit friends or relatives in hospital.

The Conservative councillor also said at least one member of the Stroke Change Board - established to assist in the county-wide review of stroke services - has ‘questioned the patient safety’ of the proposed move.

The CCG and the Stroke Board said the review is ongoing and a decision has yet to be made.

Last month Dr Claire Fuller, the Stroke Board’s clinical lead, said: "While there are a number of options to consider, right now all we’re doing is holding public meetings across the borough to find out how we can improve stroke treatment in Surrey."

A public meeting on local healthcare will be held on Tuesday, November 24 in the lecture theatre in Epsom Hospital, with Dr Fuller and Epsom and St Helier Hospital chief executive Daniel Elkeles addressing Epsom and Ewell residents.

The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/surrey-downs-clinical-commissioning-group-save-epsom-hospital-s-stroke-unit