The £1 million unit opened its doors on Monday following delays due to a shortage of midwives.

It will offer natural home-style births to low-risk mothers and babies from across the Malton area, Scarborough, Whitby and Bridlington.

Two of the unit's three rooms are equipped with a birthing pool, while all have en-suite facilities. Each room also includes natural birthing equipment, which has been sourced by Freya Oliver, acting head of midwifery at the health trust.

She said: "We are delighted that the unit is ready for business. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the original opening date due to recruiting difficulties.

"However, staff have been working extremely hard behind the scenes to get the unit open."

Mrs Oliver gave hospital colleague Vickie Berriman, who is due to have a girl in June, a tour of the new facilities.

Mrs Berriman, who works in clinical audit, is hoping to have her baby in the new unit.

The 25-year-old first-time mum said: "I'm hoping to have a water birth here and I'm impressed with the unit – it's really lovely.

"If everything continues to be OK with the pregnancy I'll be looking forward to coming here in June."

The opening of the unit is part of an independent maternity review which will see midwifery-led deliveries transferred to Scarborough from Malton, Whitby and Bridlington hospitals.

Once the unit is fully operational, hopefully in April, there will be a period of overlap with other hospitals to ensure a seamless transition of services.

Malton, Whitby and Bridling- ton community midwifery teams will continue to offer women support locally, delivering antenatal and postnatal care and increased support for home deliveries.