Around 50 people gathered outside Withybush Hospital on Saturday to protest at the end of 24-hour paediatric care at the hospital.

From today (Monday October 20th) the hospital will provide a paediatric assessment service from 10am until 10pm seven days a week.

Sick children needing overnight care will have to travel to Carmarthen's Glangwilli Hospital, which has an overnight inpatient paediatric unit, along with a new dedicated high dependency paediatric unit.

Withybush's Dedicated Ambulance Vehicle, brought in to transfer women and babies following maternity service changes, will also be used for children and young people needing paediatric services.

Saturday's protesters attracted support from passing motorists and hospital staff, who sounded their horns and waved in solidarity.

Ann Harding suggested the demo on the Save Essential Services at Withybush Facebook page on Friday.

"I am pleased with the turn out," she said.

"I couldn't let 24hr paediatrics go and do nothing."

Amongst the campaigners was mother of four and grandmother of one, Kerrie Diamond.

"I really am worried. If I could, I would move out of Pembrokeshire," she said. "I feel the safety of our children is at risk.

"As a mum I'm concerned about how I would get to Glangwilli when I don't drive," she said. "How are they going to prioritise who gets an ambulance to Glangwilli?

Protester Heather Scammel, whose son was saved by Withybush after falling into a diabetic coma at the age of 14 , added that she thought Hywel Dda Health Board chairman Beradine Rees' presentation to county councillors last week was "disgraceful".

"She said these were the right decisions and they are not," she said.

"My son would not have survived the trip to Carmarthen, that road is awful."

She also said she was concerned about the knock-on effect these changes would have on A&E and intensive care.

"I think the Welsh Government has got it in for Pembrokeshire," she said. "Don't pretend this hospital isn't being downgraded. What they are doing is turning it into a cottage hospital."

Hywel Dda University Health Board said most paediatric services remain unchanged and will be accessed in the usual way, including all community, outpatient and minor injury services. For more information visit the health board's website at www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/yourfutureservices.