STRENGTH of feeling is growing against the amalgamation of Staffordshire's ambulance service after 2,075 locals signed a petition in one week.
The petition was available in most Biddulph shops and shoppers added their voices to the outcry at plans to merge their local service into a regional 'super-brigade'.
Chris Ward, manager of Somerfield's, where 300 signatures were collected, said: "A lot of people were willing to sign straight away, we didn't have to push it at all - local people have strong feelings about this issue and don't want a merger."
Biddulph town councillors launched the petition on September 23, concerned that the service, currently one of the UK's best, could suffer if it is regionalised.
Cllr Andrew Hart said: "The massive response we have had to the petition shows the strength of feeling against these proposals."
Petitions will remain in local shops for another week.
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