THE work of a dedicated group of fundraisers is making life easier for mums-to-be.

The maternity unit at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, has just taken delivery of £45,000 worth of new equipment, courtesy of the hospital Friends.

Over the years, the Friends of the Friarage have raised many thousands of pounds to support the hospital's work and services.

And their latest equipment donation will benefit local women whose babies are delivered at the unit.

It includes an innovation - a cordless, foetal-monitoring system.

Thanks to the new monitor, women with high-risk pregnancies who require continuous foetal monitoring in labour, can now have freedom of movement and continue to walk around.

This will improve their experience and help to keep them mobile for longer.

Many other pieces of essential medical equipment were also donated, including baby resuscitation machines, blood pressure machines, overhead heaters and baby scales.

Hospital manager John Gibb said: "As always, the Friends have risen to the challenge and benefited patients at the hospital.

"We are very grateful and much appreciate their continued hard work and support."