The voice of your readers needs to be loud and clear over the next few weeks. It's D-Day for health. The time has come for the Secretary of State to select the best option from two health care packages for the people of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

So far 90 per cent of people in both counties have supported Option 2, but the campaign for Option 1 continues. We can take nothing for granted. In mid-June the health secretary will have the two options in front of him and it is essential that the pressure for Option 2 be maintained until "decision day".

Option 2 provides a new hospital at Hatfield/St Albans with a specialist cancer centre, other major acute hospitals at Watford, Bedford, Luton and Dunstable, and major non-acute hospitals and surgicentres at Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead.

I am asking that local people make their support known for Option 2 by joining with the list of supporters.

Sign the petition and get neighbours to sign petition forms from campaign coordinator Malcolm MacMillan at 28 Alma Road, St Albans AL1 3BW.

Write to the Health Secretary, Dr John Reid, at Richmond House, Whitehall, London SW1.

With the support of politicians from all parties, civic and education leaders, and community representatives, we can win the day. But above all we, need the individual citizens of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire to remind the Health Secretary that he needs to sign up for Option 2.

Kerry Pollard MP Campaign Chairmam Keep O2H Alive