A new million pound midwife-led unit opened in Scarborough which will signal the end of units in Whitby.

Post and antenatal services will still be offered in Whitby, alongside home births, but all women going into hospital for the birth will be sent 20 miles down the road.

Already a Facebook group has sprung up for mothers in the Whitby area to share their memories of giving birth in the hospital.

Kate Naylor (31) was one of the last mothers to have a baby in the hospital when she gave birth to Isaac in September.

It was her third child and the third she has had in the hospital.

"I am proud that all my children were born in Whitby and would have had a home birth if I was not able to with Isaac," she told the Whitby Gazette.

"The midwives there are very well trained and put me at ease and it's sad that other mothers will not be able to use their local hospital."

On the wall of the Facebook group "I gave birth at Whitby Hospital!!" mothers have written of their experiences.

Ellen Jeffs, nee Robinson, wrote: "I had my middle son in Whitby Hospital; best labour and birth I've had, so relaxed and calm with a midwife who wasn't trying to look after other people at the same time.

"I had my youngest at Scarborough and am now pregnant with baby number four. It's such a shame I won't get the calm relaxed birth I want."

Another mother, Paula Charters Inglis, wrote: "I had my daughter (21) in Whitby and my son in Scarborough and Whitby was outstanding in care and friendliness which is what us mums want and need.

"At Scarborough, I was just a number and gave birth to my son with just my husband as the midwife had to go to the loo. I don't call that care, would you?"

The group has already got more than 70 members and that will likely increase after the opening of the new £1m unit in Scarborough yesterday.

Mothers giving birth on Sunday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays face going onto the main labour ward until the new unit is able to open seven days a week, which is not expected to be until 1 April.