I have just visited the Pendle Liberal Democrats' web site and see that their Parliamentary candidate, Afzal Anwar, is chaining himself to the railings outside Burnley General Hospital.

He says it is not a gimmick.

Sure, it is not a gimmick.

Ladbrokes have him down at 40/1 to win.  The same as the BNP.  So he has got to get the odds narrowing. Soon.

This is what he had to say earlier today:

NOT JUST AN ELECTION GIMMICK

12.34.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 3rd Apr 2010

Afzal Anwar the Liberal Democrats Prospective MP for Pendle, is going to chain himself outside Burnley General Hospital. The chained protest is in response to plans by Labour health bosses, who are planning to move the children's ward from Burnley to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Afzal Anwar said "The statement I made was serious, not just an election gimmick. I care a lot about our children's health and future."

Afzal has promised not to give up until the children's ward is certain to stay at Burnley. He stated " I can foresee the problems that will arise for families, if a single mother wants to travel to see her child at Blackburn whilst having other children at her Colne home, how will she cope? The plans are not of benefit to anyone except health bosses and I will not let them get away with it."

The message from the Pendle Lib Dems is very clear HANDS OF OUR HOSPITAL and give us our A&E back.

The chained protest is set to take place on Saturday 3rd April from 10 AM outside Burnley General Hospital.