A comedy video highlighting the 'bizarre' plight of Seaton Hospital has received more than 6,000 views and has been featured on Westcountry Television News.

It's the latest release by Seaton-based Bus Pass Productions, a group of friends 'of a certain age' who enjoy making humorous films with a serious message about issues close to their hearts.

In 'Dotty and May Saving Seaton Hospital', two elderly ladies chat on a park bench about the NHS's proposal to dispose of the disused hospital wing - which was paid for by the community - because it's costing too much money to keep on as an empty space. 

The Seaton Hospital Steering Committee wants to get the wing repurposed for use by community health organisations. But NHS Property Services has said it must charge the going market rate for clinical facilities, which is beyond the reach of any local health group or charity.

Christina Evans from Bus Pass Productions said: "I got involved in the Save Seaton Hospital group in 2017 and when this latest threat occurred, I thought making a video to try to clarify the bizarre situation might be a way I could help.

"Luckily, Mary Bowles and Val Christmas wanted to help too so we made the video. It seemed to hit a nerve, and we had 5,400 views on our Facebook page and another few hundred on my own YouTube channel.

"I think humour can sometimes get a point across more effectively and 'Dotty and May' were just great! They might well have more to say in the future."

She said some of the Facebook views had been by people as far away as Australia.

Part of the video was also screened on Westcountry Television last Monday evening (March 5) as part of a news report. 

A huge local campaign is under way to save the hospital wing for community use, backed by both the MP representing Seaton, Richard Foord, and the East Devon MP Simon Jupp. A 9,000 signature petition has been presented to Parliament and both MPs have met NHS managers to discuss possible solutions. 

The Seaton Hospital Steering Committee is also continuing to hold regular meetings with Devon NHS ICB and NHS Property Services to find the best way forward.