An appeal will be lodged if the planned closure of a GP's surgery goes ahead.

At a meeting of the North East Essex Community Health Council (CHC) at the Queens Hall, Halstead, last night, members unanimously voted to reject plans by North East Essex Health Authority (NEEHA) and Tendring Primary Care Trust to close the surgery of Dr Anthony Morris in Coach Road, Alresford.

Tony Shelton, a member of the CHC, said up to 250 villagers had made their views against the closure clear at a public meeting in Alresford on October 15.

Mr Shelton said: "The villagers wanted the retention of a branch surgery in Alresford, they appreciated the level of personal care provided by a community doctor and they all felt this affair has been badly handled by the responsible authorities."

He went on to say the surgery would be needed in future if proposed new housing developments in nearby Wivenhoe and Thorrington get the go ahead.

He also added closure would be against the recommendations of the recent Government rural white paper.

The CHC rejected the proposal and said if it was accepted at a NEEHA board meeting on November 8, it would launch an appeal to the Health Secretary.

Paul Unswort , chief executive of Tendring Primary Care Trust, said: "We want to hear your views and we want the public to be involved in the future.