THREE more Huddersfield doctors have hit out at moves to switch vital maternity services from the town.

They have thrown their weight behind fellow GPs, who last week condemned the plans.

Seventeen Huddersfield doctors signed up to a letter to health trust officials criticising the proposals, which would leave only a midwife-led unit at the Royal Infirmary.

Now their efforts have been backed by others.

Dr Richard Buxton, of Shepley, said: "I worked in a similar unit in Newcastle in the 60s and 70s and there were tremendous problems.

"I remember the Obstetric Flying Squad, as they were known. We do not want to see a repeat of that system."

Dr Margaret Ross, who practised in Almondbury for many years, said she wanted to add her name to the list of doctors opposing the moves.

And Dr Basil Robinson, a retired GP who had a surgery in Wentworth Street, Huddersfield, and was in practice for 45 years said he had very grave fears about the moves.

He said: "I remember working closely with the old Infirmary when it was in Portland Street.

"There were problems then in transferring patients from the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital only a few hundred yards away."