THE sudden closure of a ward in the Lambert Hospital in Thirsk gives great cause for concern.

It seems to be part of a pattern of withdrawal of vital services from market towns, and their concentration in remote and not easily accessible centres.

The services the hospital provides for local people have been a part of the Thirsk culture since the days of Queen Victoria, and were funded by charitable donations and collections made from the townspeople.

The speed with which the closure took place – apparently it was only made known to local GP practices a few days ago – is an insult to the town, and the unseemly haste with which removal vans turned up to strip the contents of the building gives the lie to the excuse given for the alleged "temporary" closure on grounds of "staff shortages".

Perhaps more relevant than the NHS Trust is prepared to admit is the sale of an adjacent property on Chapel Street, on offer for a quarter of a million pounds, which will be a much smaller development site. Perhaps we are being softened up for a piece of asset stripping of a valuable town centre property?

Chris Purser, Sowerby, Thirsk