CONSERVATIVE candidate Giles Watling has pledged to put pressure on Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to save Clacton’s Minor Injuries Unit.

The Tory candidate previously spoke out against North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group’s plans for the future of the minor injuries service.

A decision on its future, which could include closing the Clacton unit, has been put on hold by health bosses unit after the General Election.

Mr Watling said: “During the by-election, I visited the minor injuries service with junior health minister Dr Dan Poulter and pointed out to him how important it was that we save this service.

“If I am elected, I will have contact with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt as part of a Conservative team and would be able to put pressure on him as a Conservative MP.

“I have been out in Clacton town centre in the past week with Therese Coffey speaking to people about the need to save our minor injuries unit.”

A plethora of ministers and MPs have visited Clacton, Holland-on-Sea, Frinton and Walton in the past two weeks to help Mr Watling’s General Election campaign.

Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey, who is also Minister for Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Life Opportunities, joined Mr Watling to campaign in the town on Sunday.

He was also joined by MP Bernard Jenkin on Saturday for a walk through Clacton town centre and was also joined by Braintree MP James Cleverly last week.

Mr Watling said the Clacton campaign has also caught the interest of international media.

“It has been a busy few weeks on the campaign trail and I was very pleased to welcome Therese and Bernard.

“The campaign here has caught the attention of the international press, including the Washington Post and Australia’s ABC News.”

Also standing for the Clacton seat at the General Election are: David Grace (Lib Dem), Nick Martin (Ind), Paul Oakley (Ukip), Natasha Osben (Lab), Caroline Shearer (Ind), Chris Southall (Green), Robin Tilbrook (English Democrats).