Lena Burr, 28, of Highfield Road, Malton, is expecting a baby boy in November and fears for the safety of herself and other expectant mums who face the 24 mile journey to Scarborough to give birth.

She also believes Scarborough is more impersonal than the excellent service provided by the unit in Malton.

The closure was rubber stamped by Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health last week, when he accepted the recommendations made in a report by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP).

Its team of experts say there is no need for a maternity unit at Malton once a £1 million purpose-built midwifery unit in Scarborough is opened early next year.

But for Lena, who has a four-year-old daughter called Shauna, the big concern is how to get to Scarborough when her waters break and her fear about delivering on "a layby on the A64."

"At the end of the day, I don't have transport to get there," she said. "I know the ambulance paramedics are useful for certain things but what if there has been an accident on Scarborough Road and it's choc-a-bloc with traffic or what if there's a complication for myself or my baby?"

"You would rather be with the midwife you have been with throughout your pregnancy and the other staff."

Lena has first hand experience of the "first class" facilities and care at Malton having given birth to Shauna at the hospital.

The former Malton School pupil said: "It was quite scary but all the staff reassured you and so I very quickly felt at ease and relaxed.

"I was in there for a week. Everyone was fine, really helpful with her being my first and I stayed there for a week and everything went smoothly.

"It'a all different know - from what I've heard about Scarborough Hospital - you're in for a couple of hours and then they are basically turning you out. You want someone who is going to be there to help you not just before but after as well."

The Malton and Pickering Mercury has sent a letter to Mr Johnson in support of expectant mums like Lena and their families who are angered at losing the facility and scared at the distance they face for delivery.

Our message has been echoed by Ryedale Cllr Howard Keal who has also drafted a letter to the secretary of state urging him to give the unit a "reprieve."

He said: "A great deal of play is made by the Government of the need for choice. Here we have a prime example of denial of choice. Mums at public meetings, in print and at every opportunity, have voiced their support for Malton Maternity Unit and opposition to its closure."

He added: "This is not the quality of care that the large investment in the NHS is supposed to be delivering. Mums want Malton Maternity Unit to remain open and the security of knowledge there is a local service available."