CAMPAIGNERS will take to Felixstowe's prom for a protest march over the closure of the resort's treasured Blue Cross centre.It is hoped hundreds of placard-waving supporters will take part in the event - to show their anger and hurt over the charity's proposal to shut the centre, which cares for hundreds of homeless animals every year.

FELIXSTOWE: Campaigners will take to Felixstowe's prom for a protest march over the closure of the resort's treasured Blue Cross centre.

It is hoped hundreds of placard-waving supporters will take part in the event - to show their anger and hurt over the charity's proposal to shut the centre, which cares for hundreds of homeless animals every year.

There has already been a phenomenal response to the Evening Star's Save the Blue Cross campaign with thousands of people signing petition forms and coupons, with many also displaying posters in their businesses, homes and cars, and hundreds adding their voice in letters and on-line.

Former manager of the animal welfare and adoption centre in Walton High Street, Tom Crowley said: “We want a chance for everyone to show their support for the Blue Cross in Felixstowe and the wonderful work which is done at the centre.

“It will be an opportunity for people to show how they feel and demonstrate against the closure. We hope to have a huge crowd on the day and really show the charity's governors the amount of opposition here.”

The protest march will take place on Sunday, February 21, setting off from the Spa Pavilion Gardens around 10am and marching along the prom to Charles Manning's Amusement Park.

People will be encouraged to bring placards and banners - and copies of posters are available at The Evening Star offices in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, for people to use.

Supporters can also bring photos of their pets and bring along their dogs to take part in the procession.

Meanwhile, the protest petition continues to grow - staff at Whitworth Veterinary Practice, Station Yard, Station Road, Trimley St Mary, are among those backing the campaign and have the petition available for people to sign.

Blue Cross officials want to close Felixstowe to set up a new centre in the north-west because they claim this would help more pets. They have promised to listen and take into account all views before making a final decision.

Send us your messages of support for the Save the Blue Cross campaign - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Sign the Evening Star Save Our Blue Cross petition today - it is available at many vets and shops, and you can sign it on-line or download further copies from our website www.eveningstar.co.uk and get friends, family and neighbours to pledge their support.

You can also leave your comments on-line about the closure proposal.

Display a poster in your window - collect one from the Evening Star's Ipswich and Felixstowe offices.

Write to Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton at Blue Cross head office, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon OX18 4PF.

JOIN THE PROTEST

These are just some of the protestors who have signed our petition or sent in coupons objecting to the possible closure of the Blue Cross.

Miss Diane Irving, Brian & Elizabeth Steel, Mrs S Madel, Mrs P J Woodcock, Jason Abbott, Mrs L M Bennett, Mr M Bennett, Mr W G Pomroy, Mrs Jane T Markham, Mrs Dorothy E Fussell, Michael Chuter, Barbara Gutowska, Veronica & Liz Fox, Margaret Lewis, Chris Lewis, Mrs J Newlands, Mr G Brookes, John W Thompson, Andy Cory, Mrs Carol Foreman, Marina Franks, Mr & Mrs C Smith, Mrs Aileen Rogers, Patricia and Michael Sharp, Mrs J Sheppard, Miss S Winship, Mrs K M Winship, S Hinchliffe, A E Alcock, K McEntee, Miss P M Sallows, Kirsty Farthing, Sarah Rejman-Greene, Mr & Mrs Tassell, Amanda Buckle, Jocelyn Souster, Mrs S Binns, Mrs Marina Bird, Mrs M R Poselippi, Mrs W Edmunds, Rosie Gillon, Mrs Janet Hedley, Mrs T Akers, Mr & Mrs Bunting, Mr & Mrs Hayward, Mrs Y A Dowse, Mrs Chris Rodgers, Jean Bullard, Brian Fletcher, Pamela Fletcher, Mr & Mrs E Summerfield, Mr & Mrs M Burgess, M D Girling, Mrs Deale, Tina Keeble, Beverly Lusher, Maureen & Geoff Pleasance, Mrs L East, Caroline Laws, Mr D J Wallace, Mr & Mrs A Woor, Carole Cooper, T Cowle, Mrs Sheila Day, Mr Fred Pettyfer, Mr C Gooding, Ray Boreham, Mrs A Armstrong, Ian A MacDonald, Nicky Moffat, Miss Sandra Knock, Mrs Regina F Brame, Winnie Mutum, Mrs Marion Southey, W H Young, Mrs L Matheson, Mrs P V Tims, Mr & Mrs White, Miss D Good, Mr & Mrs R C Howard, Anna Christie, Mrs G Kenny, Debra Lomax, Gemma Duff, Mrs M Salter, Mr & Mrs Woollard, Mrs Carol Devereux, Miss D Blake, Mrs B Betts, Catherine Phillips, Mr & Mrs D Locke, Mary Binks, Julie Pearl, Hannah Pearl, Mr R French, Joan Woodley, Mrs Marie de Nooijer, W H Andrews, Hazel Salmon, Marilyn Salmon, Pamela Beckett, L M Ellingham, John Martin, Barrie Watson-Jones, Bernard Farrow, Mrs Barbara Watson-Jones, Sharon Cheal, Mrs S Reed, Mrs H P Wright, Mrs C Rose, Mrs L Wragg, Mrs J P Hayfield, Maureen Rooke, Mrs Joyce Howard, Mrs V Butler, Mrs E Fenton, Mrs P Rudland, Marianne Spurling, Mrs I Woollard, Mr & Mrs R Driver, Diane Chaplin, Mr V A Avis, Mr J S Hayfield, Ray Smith, Patsy Gorham, Miss N Fairweather, Mr D Curtis, P Vaughan.