Protesters chanted their way to Chase Farm Hospital last night as they continued their battle against the downgrade of A&E and maternity services.

The North East London Council of Action (NELCA) is continuing its fight against the odds and against the clock to save maternity and accident and emergency wards that are due to close in the coming weeks.

Defiant, yet smaller in numbers, the protesters made their way to the hospital in the hope of occupying the maternity ward.

But like attempts to keep the hospital’s services open, the occupation endeavour found doors closed against it.

Police prevented any protesters from entering the site leaving campaigners fuming.

Campaign group secretary Bill Rogers said: “The reason why the hospital has prevented us from making a protest inside is fear. Because we haven’t given our names and addresses to the police we are unable to enter.

“We aren’t going in there to cause trouble and stop services, we are there to make a point that this hospital’s services cannot close.”

The maternity unit is due to close on November 20, with A&E due to close on December 9. Without any legal support, Mr Rogers has continued to urge trade union leaders to come to their aid.

He added: “We need the trade union bosses to come to our aid and that is where our hope lies. I was not surprised by the court ruling but as we have said in the past, two accident and emergency wards and two maternity wards instead of three cannot work.”

The chants of “Save Chase Farm, occupy now” rang out on the Enfield streets as a group of no more than 100 made their way to the Enfield hospital.

When asked whether another protest will be staged, Mr Rogers admitted he was not sure about the possibility.

He said: “We will have to see what happens, if we can generate greater support within the unions then it is a possibility.”