A hospital is standing firm over plans to axe most of its chaplaincy, despite condemnation from an Anglican bishop and an MP.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust will sack six chaplains, leaving one for three hospitals.

The cut-backs are part of a series of lay-offs by the Trust, trying to overcome a £30 million budget deficit.

Last night Mid Worcester-shire MP Peter Luff (Con Mid Worcestershire) said he was "utterly horrified".

It followed a warning by the Rt Rev Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester, losing chaplains could leave terminally-ill patients and bereaved relatives without pastoral care.

Union Amicus have attacked the proposal as a "cruel decision".

But a Trust spokeswoman said it was pressing ahead.

"The situation is as it was when we issued our statement on August 4," she said.

Two Anglican chaplains, three Roman Catholics and a Methodist will lose positions.

It will mean that one chaplain for hospitals in Worcester, Kidderminster and Redditch.

Mr Luff said: "One chaplain across three such different and widely separated hospitals means there will be no meaningful spiritual support."

The MP has written to Michael O'Riordan, chairman of Worcestershire NHS Acute Hospitals asking him to reconsider.

In a hard-hitting statement his month, Dr Selby said: "Just remember what will happen when you find yourself in Worcestershire Royal Hospital with a life-threatening condition, or bereaved after a loved one's illness, or with a daughter feeling dreadful after a termination.

"You may ask for a Chaplain, and the answer will be, 'We don't have one any more'."