HARTLEPOOL Council threw its weight behind a campaign to save an internationally renowned fertility clinic from closure yesterday.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust wants to close the ground-breaking Assisted Reproduction Unit (ARU) at Hartlepool Hospital.

But trade unions and health service users have organised a campaign against the closure and Hartlepool Council has now called for “meaningful consultation” with an immediate halt to discussions on redundancies.

The council’s support was welcomed by public service union Unison.

Unison regional organiser Mike Hill said: “Unison has consistently argued that there is no case for closure of the ARU.

“However, while the debate continues over its future, the Trust has pushed ahead with formal consultation over redundancies.

“Not only has Hartlepool Council now called for a halt to the closure of the unit, it has also specifically called for redundancy talks to cease immediately and notices to be withdrawn.”