Plans to shut a children's ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley have been formally approved. 

Glasgow's health board today voted in favour by a majority of 20 to 7 following the end of a public consultation and the decision will now rest with Health Secretary Shona Robison.

The board said there was no strong argument which had over-ridden the case for transferring inpatient care to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. 

Campaigners fighting the plans staged a demonstration ahead of the meeting and vowed to fight on. 

Jack Davidson, whose daughter was treated at the RAH, said: "We would like to invite Shona Robison to Paisley to meet families affected by this loss of service in one of Scotland's most deprived areas."