A protest due to take place this morning against proposed cuts to hospital beds has been called off.

There were fears that South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) would close six beds at All Hallows Hospital in Ditchingham by January 7.

But in a joint statement last night, the commissioning group and hospital trust said they had agreed to secure the immediate future of the hospital.

It said: 'There will be no reduction in beds at All Hallows over the winter. The hospital is completely full.

'The clinical commissioning group will be recommissioning intermediate care beds from the independent sector in the spring to ensure that the NHS pound is spent appropriately and responsibly.

'All Hallows will be participating in that exercise along with all the other potential providers.'

The statement said the proposed rally would no longer be going ahead, adding: 'Anyone who turns up will be assured of happy Christmas and New Year wishes, accompanied by hot drinks and mince pies.

South Norfolk CCG announced plans to close the beds last week as it faces a £6.6m deficit by April.