GENERATIONS of residents showed their support for the NHS by marching down Halstead High Street.

Saturday’s march mirrored a protest at the Houses of Parliament, organised by campaign groups Health Campaigns Together and The People’s Assembly.

Pauline Amos, 63, of Halstead, was unable to attend but saw no reason why the same demonstration couldn’t be recreated close to home.

Mrs Amos spent the last month rallying residents, handing out leaflets and talking to residents on the High Street.

And her hard work paid off as up to 80 residents of all ages lined the High Street to show their support.

She said: “It was so pleasing to see so many people join us.

“There is always that panic that only a handful of people turn up, but the numbers made it look like a real protest.

“It was a great feeling to see there are so many people in the town who hold these views. We got an amazing reaction from everyone we passed.

“We gathered in the public gardens at the end and I gave a small talk thanking everyone who came and reiterating why we were there.”

Residents marched the length of the High Street on Saturday, armed with banners and placards stating the likes of “Save our NHS The Government STILL isn’t listening”.

Mrs Amos decided to organise the march after becoming increasingly concerned with the state of the NHS across the country.

Locally, many are concerned about proposals which could see Broomfield Hospital’s A&E downgraded, forcing more emergency patients to travel to Southend or Basildon.

She added: “The NHS is still within our grasp.

“It hasn’t gone completely, but it is like a knitted jumper that has started to unravel.

“If we don’t catch that thread we will lose it forever.

“For us, it is important that people have the confidence to speak about the NHS and make themselves heard.

“I was so shocked by the amount of people who didn’t know about the potential downgrading of Broomfield A&E. I hope this march has made people aware and make sure they go and look at the issues and pay attention to them.”

Mrs Amos, alongside other residents have created a ‘Support the NHS Halstead’ Facebook page and are due to hold a meeting on April 4.

Visit www.facebook.com/SupporttheNHShalstead/