MP takes 999 fight to Parliament

Mr Kawczynski claims lives could be at risk if the control centre shuts

An MP has tabled a motion in Parliament over the proposed closure of an ambulance control centre in Shropshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service wants to shut centres in Shrewsbury and Worcester and move staff to the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, Daniel Kawczynski called on MPs to note opposition to the plans and a 16,000-signature petition.

Officials deny the move is a cost- cutting exercise.

They say it would make the service more efficient but opponents fear the closure will put lives at risk.

The trust hopes to raise £2.5m from the sale of the sites in Shrewsbury, Bransford in Worcester and Stone Road in Stafford.

Money would then be spent on extending the site in Brierley Hill in the Black Country, building a new centre in Tollgate in Stafford and upgrading services in Leamington Spa.

The trust said any money saved would be put back into equipment, increasing staff numbers and response cars.