The new chief executive of the cash stricken Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust has ruled out big cuts, widespread job losses and hospital closures.

That was not the way he wanted to balance the books, said John Wastkinson.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust had considered changes at St Michael's Hospital in Hayle and the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance.

In August last year, nearly 30,000 protesters turned out to fight the threat that St Michael's may close to save money. Campaigners also pleaded for a bigger West Cornwall Hospital.

Mr Watkinson said there would be no painful cuts and 24-hour emergency surgery would also be restored if it could be done safely.

"We're going to use those facilities more efficiently and effectively, and I think that that will be more in tune with what the public wants, more in tune with what staff want, and it will be good for patients," he said.

About 300 jobs had been under threat, including secretarial staff who were told their posts might go overseas.

That plan has now been scrapped and Mr Watkinson has made it clear he wishes to work closer with staff and unions.

Unison regional officer Stuart Roden said: "We had hundreds of staff who had letters at home telling them that they were going to be made redundant, or potentially at risk of redundancy. Now all that cloud has been lifted from them. "