Mothers-to-be will be able to give birth at Buckland Hospital again in the New Year.

Staffing shortages led to the closure of the Dover Birthing Centre for births in October, although it has remained open for other services. Health trust bosses have now said it will fully re-open in January.

At the same time, the Canterbury birthing centre will suspend its birthing services.

The Birthing Centre at Buckland Hospital was closed for nearly two weeks in January and February after a hot water supply pipe broke and engineers called in to repair it discovered asbestos insulating materials around the pipes.

Meanwhile, maternity services across east Kent are to be reviewed to ensure the rising number of mothers-to-be continue to receive high quality care and patient choice.

Full story in this week's Dover Mercury.