BRIDGWATER councillors have welcomed the news of the relaunch of the maternity unit at the town's community hospital.

Speaking at Bridgwater Town Council on Thursday evening, the mayor of Bridgwater, Cllr Graham Granter said he was delighted to hear that the maternity unit would now be open 24/7 for a trial period.

"I think it is a tremendous boost. The town council has had Born in Bridgwater campaign trying to make people aware of the fantastic facilities we have down there and I am delighted to see this development."

Councillor Gill Slocombe, Sedgemoor District Council’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing said she hopes that other parts of the hospital that have previously been underused could be utilised to their full capacity.

Cllr Slocombe, who is also a partnership governor on the Musgrove Board said: "I am extremely pleased that there has been a major relaunch of the Bridgwater Hospital Mary Stanley Unit.

"It is our belief that this Unit and other parts of the Hospital have been underused in the past and this new approach will hopefully bring forward other areas of the Hospital being utilised to its fullest capacity.

"It is an amazing hospital and its use is paramount to the community of Bridgwater and Sedgemoor. This is a major step forward and is applauded by everyone.

Cllr Christine Lawrence, chairman of the Somerset health and wellbeing board added: "I am delighted at the progress being made at the Bridgwater Hospital and in particular The Mary Stanley Unit.

"It is really important to the communities in and around Bridgwater that our Hospitals are fully functioning."