CAMPAIGNERS will be taking to the streets in Tavistock on Saturday for a 'day of action' in support of the NHS.

The event, co-ordinated by campaign group 38 Degrees, will start at Bedford Square at 11am

Tavistock campaigners will join more than 9,000 other members of 38 Degrees protesting on the same day across the UK.

Some 865 people in the area have already signed a petition to all of the candidates standing to be an MP in Torridge and West Devon in May's General Election.

The petition asks each candidate to commit to protect the NHS from privatisation, make sure it has the funding it needs and keep the NHS out of the TTIP trade deal with the US.

Jackie Eady, a 38 Degrees member from Tavistock, said:?'We all need the NHS at our best and worst moments in life. That's why I'll be going out this Saturday to spread the word about our campaign and collect signatures on our local petition.

'Tavistock's day of action will show our MP candidates that if they want to sell off or run down our NHS, they'll have a fight on their hands.'

David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees, said: 'This day of action should send a clear message to politicians: you're being watched by millions of us fighting to protect our NHS.

'The NHS is the best healthcare system in the world and it belongs to all of us. But too many politicians have ignored the doctors and nurses on the frontline. They've turned their back on the principle of an NHS owned by all of us and working to save lives, rather than to make money.

'People in West Devon will be standing with thousands of people across the country to say that we love our NHS too much to let it be sold off to the highest bidder.'

The 38 Degrees petition can be found at: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/nhs">www.38degrees.org.uk/nhs