Haslar task force members are hoping to pick up tips from an NHS campaigner who pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the general election.

Gosport MP Peter Viggers, who has also criticised his Labour election opponent over Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, has arranged for Dr Richard Taylor, MP for Wyre Forest, to meet the Haslar group on Thursday.

Dr Taylor defeated the sitting Labour MP on the basis of the campaign to save Kiddermin-ster Hospital.

Mr Viggers said: "We want to learn from his experience in our fight to save Haslar."

Mr Viggers has also taken a swipe at Dr Richard Williams, his Labour opponent at Gosport, over his claims that he could obtain a review of Haslar's closure.

He said: "I know that many constituents during the election campaign felt Dr Williams had some special connection with the government and would be able to obtain a review of Haslar's future.

"I put down a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Health asking what undertaking had been given to review the decision to close Haslar.

"You can see from the minister's reply that no undertaking has been given to review the decision."