The closure sparked a campaign to save the ward

The unit at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Gobowen, near Oswestry, Shropshire, shut its doors in October after 22 midwives became pregnant across the county.

Hospital bosses said they did try to arrange cover for the maternity leave, but failed because of a national shortage of trained staff.

The move sparked a campaign to save the ward after local people became concerned it would not reopen.

Community support

The head of maternity and women's services in Shropshire, Sue Breslin, said that was never on the cards, adding that the campaign has been very welcome.

"I don't see it as a protest, I see it is a sign of support for the unit," she said.

"It's been quite heart-warming to receive so many letters of support.

"It's a unit that we do all support and there's never been any intention to close the unit by the back door as many people had feared."

Expectant mothers needing hospital care have been forced to travel to either Wrexham, Powys or Shrewsbury.