There was barely a dry eye in Oswestry’s maternity unit yesterday as bosses closed the doors on the “vital service”.

 There was barely a dry eye in Oswestry’s maternity unit yesterday as bosses closed the doors on the “vital service”.New mums, mums-to-be and campaigners watched in sadness as midwives at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen cleared the unit.

Hospital bosses officially closed the doors on the unit because the building did not meet fire standards. But campaigners and members of the Oswestry’s Maternity Support Group say they have not given up their fight.

Councillor David Lloyd, Oswestry Borough Council leader, and Owen Paterson, North Shropshire MP, said they would continue to press for a positive outcome.

Councillor Lloyd said: “I am as sad as all the mothers here today to see this building empty and rendered useless. I won’t let this rest until we get a satisfactory outcome.”

And mum-to-be Nicola Chapman, from Ellesmere, fought back tears as she spoke of how she had planned to give birth at the unit.

She said: “It’s a sad day today. Everywhere looks so bare in here and everyone looks upset. I am due in eight weeks and now I have no idea where to have my baby.

“I had one of my other children in Oswestry after we moved to the area and it was great.

“If it wasn’t for here, I would not have persevered with breast feeding. The midwives have so much time for you and they even remembered me from when I had my baby here the last time.”

First-time mum Nicola Jones of Maesbury Marsh, Oswestry, also spoke of the “outstanding support” of the midwives at the unit.

She said: “I had my baby in Wrexham 12 weeks ago and after two days I was able to transfer to Oswestry. Jac is my first baby and I was clueless of what time to feed him and all the other things you just wouldn’t know.

“The midwives in Oswestry were not only physically but mentally supportive, and when the babies were crying, they would take them into a creche so the mums could get a bit of sleep.

“I feel desperately sorry for the women who are being forced to find another hospital to have their babies after they have bonded with the midwives here and have set their hearts on having their new borns in Oswestry,” she added.

It is believed ante-natal and post-natal appointments will continue at a section of the hospital until other premises are found.

Top picture: Expectant mums and mums and children gather for the last day of the maternity unit at the Orthopaedic Hospital near Oswestry

By Antonia Merola