Almost 900 people have signed up to an campaign to halt the possible closure of the children's ward at Paisley Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Several concerned parents are among those who have backed the "Save the RAH Paisley Kids Ward" Facebook page.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is in the early stages of a review which could see the ward closed.

Health chiefs insist no decision has been taken. The matter will go before a meeting of the health board on October 18 when it is expected that the argument will be made that a better service could be provided by Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital and the new Southern General Hospital.

However, 891 people have already called on health chiefs to think again and keep the RAH ward open.

Many parents of children who have used the ward have shared their experiences online.

One parent posted: "We spent five days in Paisley last week after our eight week-old stopped breathing and had a suspected urine infection.

"Had to get an ambulance down from Oban and that took over two hours and this was after midnight. I have also had experience of Yorkhill with my other child. I have nothing against the staff and hospital but I'm very concerned that our 'nearest' hospital is going to be even further away.

"The staff in Paisley were amazing and made our stay more tolerable it would be a real shame if these cuts affected their jobs."

Another wrote: "Brilliant ward, don't know what I would have done without it, my son just left there this morning, he's under one, and I just wanted to say, consultants, staff and everyone are fantastic. This ward should never be moved."

Campaigner Sandra Webster, 44, from Paisley, has two sons who regularly attend the RAH children's ward. She warned that parents would not give up without a fight.

Sandra said: "I'm positive that we can make a difference. They are looking for clinical reasons to keep the ward. Five thousand children attended the ward in the past year. That's 5000 reasons why it should stay.

"We're willing to fight them on all fronts. We have the Facebook page, we're planning a Twitter campaign and we'll be picketing the health board meeting next month."

Yesterday, Renfrewshire Council voted to back an ammendment from councillor George Adam which called on councillors to "recognise the worries of families throughout Renfrewshire who may need to travel to hospitals in Glasgow should the ward close."

Councillors agreed to support the call to work with the board and other interested parties to secure local paediatric services.

It followed an update to councillors from Robert Calderwood, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Chief Executive, who reiterated that no decision has yet been taken.

A spokewsoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We are reviewing the paediatric inpatient service at the RAH to see if there is a case for change.

"No final decisions have been taken about whether to consult on a potential move of this service. If it is decided that there is a case for change then there will be full public consultation before any final decision is reached."