Expectant mums now have a new £180,000 birth centre at St Helier Hospital.

President of the Royal College of Midwives, Liz Stephens, cut the ribbon to open the centre which forms part of the £2.8m redevelopment of the facility.

The unit contains three birthing pools, specialist furniture, birthing balls and mood lighting that gently changes colour.

An Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals Trust spokesman said it had been designed for women with problem-free pregnancies to give birth in a relaxed environment.

And chief executive Samantha Jones said the unit was a “huge boost” to the trust.

She said: “I bring my eight-month-old twins here for their outpatient appointments and I’m very happy to do so.

“I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to complete this fantastic new facility.”

Also at the ceremony was MP for Carshalton and Wallington Tom Brake and MP for Sutton and Cheam, Paul Burstow.