Craven mums-to-be will be able to give birth in modern, purpose-built facilities at Airedale Hospital.

The Airedale Birthing Centre was officially opened by TV weather forecaster and expectant mother Lisa Gallagher and Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, on Thursday afternoon.

Ms Warwick said: “This is an addition which I am sure will be welcomed by women in the area because it offers them more choice about how and where they give birth. The trust and the midwifery team should be applauded for this enhancement to their maternity service.”

The centre is the outcome of a bid for £748,000 funding from the Department of Health. It has four individual birthing suites, each with a private decked patio area, as well as state-of-the-art birthing equipment, including new birthing chairs.

Two of the rooms have pools for water births or support during labour and each room has an en-suite wet room including a shower and toilet.

The unit also comprises a self-contained bereavement suite which features a lounge with private decked patio area, a double bedroom and en-suite shower and toilet.

Claire Mathews, head of midwifery and general manager for women’s and children’s services at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The refurbished unit will make a huge difference to the experience that mums and their families have of our maternity services and provide a much more positive experience.

“Our plans were developed in response to feedback from people who used our maternity services and we would like to thank them for their suggestions and support. The design also includes recommendations from local voluntary groups and the National Childbirth Trust.

“Whilst women tell us that they do rate highly the quality of maternity care provided by the Airedale team, the previous physical environment was poor and did not compare well to the new birthing centres now available for women to choose from in neighbouring hospitals.”

Sharon Thompson was among the first mums to give birth in the new unit. Samuel, her first child, was delivered by water birth.

“The whole experience was really good – it was exactly what I wanted,” said Mrs Thompson. “The facilities were gorgeous. I would definitely recommend it to my friends.”