Pro-NHS protestors took to the streets of Helston on Friday morning to demonstrate against the possible privatisation of local services.

The Keep it in the NHS supporters spent the morning collecting signatures on a petition and handing out letters of protest outside the Post Office before heading to Helston Community Hospital to meet with NHS staff.

One of the organisers, Cornelius Olivier, Cornwall Councillor for Penzance, said: "We got lots of indications of support from the numerous vehicles passing.

"About 20 people were involved altogether, a very good show of support was received in the town centre also,especially considering the lousy weather.

The protestor were concerned about the potential privatisation of community health services in Cornwall, which were transferred from the NHS to community interest company Peninsula Community Health (PCH) in 2011, which announced in July it will not renew its contract when it expires next year. GP led commissioning group NHS Kernow has since announced that the care services will be put out to tender, opening the way for third parties.

Mr Olivier said: "We have had very short notice that they have been put out to tender and may be going out of the public sector altogether, to private operations. Helston Community Hospital could have a big Serco sign outside."

He said that although PCH had struggled financially, it was "better than Virgin or Serco," as it wasn't run for profit but "focused on working in the community."

The group were joined during the morning by Cornwall Councillor Judith Haycock, chair of the League of Friends of Helston Community Hospital Ken Whittle, and former local MP Andrew George and his wife Jill.

Another protest was held the next day in St. Ives at the Edward Hain Hospital, and the group will be protesting at the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group board meeting in Newquay on Tuesday morning and at Barncoose Hospital on Thursday morning.

The event in Helston collected about 350 signatures on its petition, and Mr Olivier said the group will also be asking local council members to support their work.