That was the total number of people who signed the petition telling health bosses “hands off our hospital”.

The Free Press was proud to travel to 10 Downing Street on Tuesday to present the petition to the Government.

The idea of closing the cardiac monitoring unit, and also moving other facilities to Scarborough, has prompted the biggest campaign in Bridlington in living memory.

As a town, we have done our best – and we must keep up the fight to make sure the right decisions are made.

Speaking to the Free Press outside Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s home and office, Bridlington Mayor Coun Ray Allerston said: “We couldn’t have done any more.

“We had a march with 3,000 people and there hadn’t been a turnout like that ever in Bridlington.

“Now we have got all these names on the petition and everyone objects to the closure of services, especially the cardiac unit.

“It feels great to be in Downing Street.

“We have done a good job and to get 38,000 signatures is brilliant.”

Hospital staff, representing trade union Unite, were also part of the delegation which travelled to the capital.

Bridlington’s MP Greg Knight, who met the party in Downing Street, said: “In some constituencies this happens once every decade or even less.

“So the fact we have a delegation in Downing Street today is very significant and indicates the strength of feeling.

“We hope it bears fruit. I realise not every lobby group can be listened to but here we have the local community speaking with one voice to keep the services at the hospital.”

Staff nurse Steve Holliday, who works on the CMU, was another member of the party which went to London.

He said: “It is all about getting the plight of Bridlington advertised in the highest places.

“Morale at the hospital is absolutely rock bottom.

“As a union, Unite is totally opposed to the trust’s proposals and we feel there are much better options which should be implemented.”

l Shadow Health Secretary’s visit to Bridlington Hospital and more coverage of the mission to Downing Street – page 7