NEW MOTHERS have been given seasonal cheer after health chiefs pledged to re-open a much-loved maternity unit early in the new year.

Up to 100 mums a year give birth at Blackbrook Maternity Unit and opt to return because of the personal care they enjoy.

The Fareham unit has been closed temporarily since August and was shut for the past two Christmases.

The closures were due to staff shortages, sickness and for training reasons.

But mothers grew worried the unit might close and wrote in large numbers to protest at its prolonged closure and expressing concern it might be closed forever.

Managers stressed they had no intention of closing the unit for good, but said the many letters underlined how important the service was to parents.

Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Blackbrook, confirmed staff were working to re-open it early in the New Year.

John Kirtley, chief executive of Fareham Primary Care Group, which oversees maternity and other services, said: "It should be very good news for the many mothers-to-be who are want to have their babies in Blackbrook.

"Judging by the many letters I've received on the issue of it being closed, the unit is highly valued by all mothers and even fathers who have attended.

"There is a prospective re-opening date of January 8, which depends on progress of the re-staffing and training and bringing back on-stream a unit that has been out of operation.''

Women hoping to use Blackbrook currently have to attend Princess Anne Maternity Hospital, South-ampton, or Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth.

Blackbrook not only had beds for expectant mothers, but also provided comprehensive post-natal care for mothers and fathers.

Indeira Rowlatt, 31, of Trimaran Close, Warsash, and mother of Christy, aged two, welcome the re-opening.

She said: "This is the best possible for expectant and new mothers.

"I had Christy at another hospital and went to Blackbrook for general support and advice."