A Falmouth woman who had open heart surgery when just a child, was among those supporting a local day of action to 'save the NHS'.

Leila Hardman helped collect over 600 signatures on a petition which is being co-ordinated by campaign group 38 Degrees when she joined others on The Moor for two hours at the weekend.

“We had a great turn out of supporters and a fabulous response from everyone,” she said. “I had to have open heart surgery when I was seven-years-old, so you could say that it's an issue that's close to my heart and that's what inspired me to take part. I can honestly say I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the wonderful surgeons and nurses in the NHS... and many shared similar stories with us on Saturday.

“It was eye-opening too talking to some of the heath service workers who came to speak to us.

“They confirmed that the service is often on a knife edge, especially A&E and that privatisation is about putting profit rather than patients first and services often suffer as a result.”

The petition asks all candidates in May’s general election to commit to protect the NHS from privatisation, make sure it has the funding it needs, and keep the NHS out of the TTIP free trade agreement with the US.

Leila, a 38 Degrees member, added: “I care passionately about the NHS. That's why I believe we all have to do something to send a clear message to the next government that we aren't happy with increasing privatisation and cuts that have left our hospitals and services in a state of crisis. The recent ‘black alert’ declared by the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust is clear evidence of this.”