FELIXSTOWE: It's produced some of the biggest postbags The Evening Star has ever had - and today our campaign to save Felixstowe Blue Cross is expanding even further.

Richard Cornwell

FELIXSTOWE: It's produced some of the biggest postbags The Evening Star has ever had - and today our campaign to save Felixstowe Blue Cross is expanding even further.

Today our petition has gone region-wide - and is available to sign in shops across the county, while also going into outlets in Essex and Norfolk, as opposition to the proposed closure continues to grow.

Blue Cross volunteer Nicky Abbott said: “I am determined to get The Evening Star petition forms into as many places as possible so that everyone has the chance to sign it.

“People are very angry about this decision - and very worried about the animals in this area which would be abandoned. It's a disgrace.

“It is doing the reputation of the Blue Cross no good at all - and I am writing to each of the charity's governors to tell them that and give them my views.”

Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “The campaign has had an astonishing array of support - our postbag is bigger every day on this issue with hundreds of petition coupons and letters.

“Governors of the charity will really be feeling the weight of public opinion about this proposed closure and how incensed people are about it.”

Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton said: “We very much appreciate the level of support from the local community for the Blue Cross and our Felixstowe centre in particular.

“We are in discussions with staff at the centre about the proposal and this will continue for a number of weeks. During this time we are providing as much support as possible to our staff.

“We are listening to the many views and suggestions we have received from our supporters, which will be taken into consideration when we make 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 - the petition is on-line and the form can be downloaded to encourage workmates, friends and family to add their voice, too.

Leave your comments about the closure proposal on our website at www.eveningstar.co.uk

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.