A controversial shake-up of health services across north Cumbria has been delayed.

Bosses were due to unveil formal plans next week, with the launch of a formal public consultation.

But that has been put back until September.

The Success Regime - the Government-appointed body leading efforts to transform north Cumbria's troubled NHS, which is more than £80m in debt.

It means campaigners will have more time to try and persuade bosses to save community hospital beds and hospital services in West Cumbria, including consultant-led maternity.

A series of meetings held by the Success Regime earlier this year were packed with people concerned about the impact it would have in West Cumbria.

The Success Regime will then hold more engagement meetings with local stakeholders to talk through the options - though it is unlikely there will be any further public meetings until the formal consultation begins.

The Success Regime had been due to take a detailed business case to NHS England ahead of launching formal consultation next month. But that is now on hold. Instead the consultation is likely to take place at the end of the summer, though no dates have yet been finalised.

Workington MP Sue Hayman said: "I am glad that the Success Regime have listened to the requests from me and others, and have decided to extend the current period of engagement.

"This is very welcome news, and allays my concerns that local people would feel that they were not being listened to.

“Many local people got in touch with me to ask whether there could be a delay in the start of the formal consultation, so that more engagement could take place. It’s vital that people feel they have been genuinely listened to before final proposal decisions are reached.

“It’s absolutely critical that we get the health services we need and that they are delivered within local communities wherever possible, and that our acute hospitals continue to have the services such as maternity and A&E that are so important to local people.”