A DECISION to close a maternity hospital because of a shortage of midwives has caused outrage among patients and politicians.

Mothers-to-be began petitioning for support within hours of the announcement that the maternity unit at Guisborough General Hospital, east Cleveland, is to shut down.

South Tees NHS Trust said the closure would be temporary - but no date for reopening the unit has been set.

When the maternity ward closes on Friday, November 15, pregnant women will have to travel to Middlesbrough or Whitby to give birth.

The NHS trust has recently spent £50,000 refurbishing the maternity unit.

Donna Martin, 31, of New Marske, near Redcar, is due to give birth in January.

She said: "Myself and one or two other expectant new mums I know got a letter from the hospital this morning, which is short notice considering it will be closed next week.

"Everyone is shocked and everyone is against it."

The protestors were backed by leading political figures in Cleveland.

Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Ashok Kumar said: "I want assurances there are firm plans and a firm timetable for reopening. I am writing to the NHS trust chief executive to request a meeting."

David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, called for a delay on closure and said he would be using new council powers to force the issue.

He said: "As a result of regent legislation, local councils have the power to legally scrutinise the decisions of health trusts. I will be asking the trust to delay any closure until such scrutiny has been undertaken."

A spokesman for the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust said that out of a total of 128 midwifery staff there were 14 vacancies for full-time posts. The £50,000 spent recently would still benefit future mothers.

Consultant obstetrician Stewart Hutchinson said: "We are reluctantly taking this decision so we can ensure mothers-to-be have a safe, high-quality service at the James Cook University Hospital and in the community."

Last year, 125 babies were born in the maternity ward at Guisborough General Hospital and 3,320 at the James Cook University Hospital.

There have been 79 births at Guisborough so far this year and 2,758 at the James Cook.