Kent and Canterbury Hospital campaigners are furious that they have been denied a stand at the League of Friends summer fair on Saturday.

Concern for Health in East Kent (Chek) is fighting for services to be returned to the site and had hoped to spread the message about its efforts at the popular annual fundraiser.

But the league’s chairman, Catriona Irvine, has rejected its application for a stall, telling campaigners the charity “cannot be associated with your organisation”.

In an email to Chek, retired dermatologist Dr Irvine says: “Unfortunately I do not feel we can offer you a platform for Chek at the LoF hospital fair.

“As you say in your email, Chek is a political organisation and the League of Friends is a charity.

“Our role is to support patient care and services at the K&C Hospital, for patients who may come from all over east Kent.

“I have discussed this with other trustees and we are in agreement.

“We know that you and Chek work very hard for the hospital but we feel the League of Friends cannot be associated with your organisation.”

But Mrs Pryer rejects the tag of “political organisation”, saying its members are drawn from many political persuasions and are only campaigning for the hospital’s future.

“It’s unbelievable and I am sure the public would be flabbergasted that we have been turned down,” she said.

“We are angry and disappointed because we both have the same aim of working for the good of the hospital.

“We had also hoped to tell people what we are about, recruit more support and distribute leaflets about our NHS 70th birthday celebration dinner and cabaret on September 29."