The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) yesterday announced it agreed with the NHS Trust's decision to close services in Whitby as well as Malton and Bridlington.

All that remains is for Health Secretary Alan Johnson to approve the recommendations and births at Whitby Hospital will cease once a new unit in Scarborough is up and running.

The IRP had been asked to review the decision of the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust after an objection by North Yorkshire County Council's Scrutiny of Health Committee.

But it has now backed the closure decision.

Its report states: "In addition to Scarborough Hospital, women living within the trust's catchment area currently have access to birth facilities at midwife-led units in Malton, Whitby and Bridlington. The IRP considers that retaining these facilities as well as the maternity unit and new midwife-led unit in Scarborough is not sustainable."

Dr Peter Barrett, chairman of the IRP, said: "We concluded maintaining consultant-led maternity services at Scarborough Hospital, alongside the development of a new midwife-led unit, offers the best solution.

"Over the last three years there has been a sharp fall in the number of births at the (Whitby, Malton and Bridlington] units, selection protocols for giving birth at a midwife-led unit have been tightened and the trust has allowed midwife numbers to decrease."