ANGRY protesters marched past threatened King George Hospital’s A&E today demanding a halt to plans for its closure.

The third march since 2006 went from Barley Lane, Goodmayes, to Ilford town centre where a rally heard speakers condemn the controversial plans which will see A&E and the labour ward closed.

Seven Kings United Free Church minister Rev Brian Davison asked the crowd: “How many deaths must there be? There was a death at Queen’s Hospital over Christmas because the A&E was overcrowded.

“Ambulances had to be diverted from Queen’s – and yet over Christmas King George was running at full capacity.”

The crowd heard consultant surgeon and member of the BMA Anna Athow launched an attack on health chiefs and said if King George A&E closed it would mean Redbridge would be the only outer London borough without its own A&E.

Marcher Janet Knight, of Ilford Lane, told the Recorder it was an “absolute essential” to save the A&E.

“People are going to have to travel too far and because of that far more lives will be at risk.”

The rally, which attracted around 100 people, was attended by community leaders and councillors including Paul Canal, Ali Hai and Harry Moth.

Health for North East London chiefs, who are driving the plans, insist the closures will improve the health prospects for Redbridge people and deny they will lead to deaths of patients.