A much-loved doctor has had his locks shaved off to raise money for a campaign to save a Powys border town's hospital from permanently closing.

Dr Adrian Penney, a senior partner at Bishop’s Castle Medical Practice, had his head shaved at The Six Bells pub on October 27 as part of a fundraising initiative for the town's Save our Beds campaign to reopen the 16 in-patient beds at Bishop’s Castle Community Hospital which closed in October 2021 due to staffing shortages and safety concerns.

Bishop's Castle Mayor Councillor Josh Dicken said: "Well, what a night! The doc braved the shave to Save our Beds. £450 was raised for the campaign. We also had a willing volunteer who nominated himself to have his hair shaved - Jeff Aldridge the former town crier!"

Last month, the Mayor of Bishop's Castle vowed to fight on to make sure the town's hospital reopens as the new and final recruitment drive continues.

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To be able to re-open the inpatient unit and to make sure patient and staff safety, Shropcom says the hospital must have at least 85 per cent of the clinical team as permanent staff, but they cannot rely on agency workers.

Shropcom's board of directors concluded last month it was not convinced enough had been done to try and fill vacancies at the Bishop's Castle Community Hospital, which the Mayor said was the "best decision we could have hoped for" with the Save our Beds campaign.

Three further recruitment days will be held on Saturday, November 25, Friday, January 12 and Saturday, February 24.

A spokesperson for the Save Our Beds campaign said: "The campaign group is asking all current or retired nurses and nursing associates to give serious consideration to coming to work in this very well-equipped hospital in our friendly, welcoming and very vibrant town."