CAMPAIGNERS battling to save vital treatment for heart patients have collected a petition containing almost 3,500 names.

As the group vowing to reinstate the eight-week rehabilitation classes gathered outside Southampton General Hospital yesterday, the petition was handed to Southampton MPs John Denham and Alan Whitehead.

The Labour MPs had promised to deliver the petition to health bosses behind the move when they met with them to discuss the hospital's financial situation.

The event marked the latest stage in the Daily Echo-backed campaign, which began a month ago after it was revealed that the classes were to be axed as part of a multi-million-pound cost-cutting drive.

Health bosses said the move would save £20,000 - a fraction of the £15m savings target set after the NHS trust ended the year more than £7m in the red.

Heart patients from across the city insist that stopping the classes, held at leisure centres in Southampton and the Waterside, would cost the NHS much more in the long run. They say without the proper aftercare, dozens of people could end up back in hospital.

This was a view shared by Mr Whitehead. He said: "If we are investing huge amounts of money with which the health service is making sure people can be treated quickly and effectively and survive heart attacks, then what happens next is equally important.

"It is about a complete service and probably one that is very cost-effective, because it is stopping people coming back into hospital.

"It seems to me that this is tremendous value for money."

The classes were cut after two of the five nurses who run them left the trust. Southampton Primary Care Trust chiefs intend to take over the programme, but it could be months before any service is resumed.

Mr Denham said: "We will ask the hospital managers why they found it necessary to cut such an important programme without other arrangements having being made for it. It is ironic considering the brilliant new multi-million-pound cardiac unit being built, where world-leading surgery is going to be taking place.

"I can't see any reason why, given the extra money, something as basic, as cheap and as important as this should have to go."

Campaigner and former cardiac patient Anne Fry said: "When you come out of hospital these classes give you back your life.

"If the trust is not careful, they are going to cost themselves someone's life. How will they feel then? These classes are vital."