HOSPITAL trust chiefs have moved to reassure mums-to-be in Clacton that their local maternity unit is not under threat.

Proposals have been launched which could stop women giving birth at Fryatt Hospital in Dovercourt.

The move sparked concerns that Clacton’s birthing unit might also be at risk – as it has been in the past.

In 2014 hospital bosses moved to axe the town’s maternity unit, along with the Dovercourt service.

But they were met by a furious backlash by outraged residents and politicians who fought to keep the unit open.

The Gazette launched its Save Our Baby Services campaign and thousands of people signed a petition against the cuts.

More than 200 people also marched through the streets of Clacton in protest.

The campaign worked and an on-demand maternity service was eventually re-opened.

Now the service in Dovercourt looks set to be cut – but bosses are adamant that Clacton will not follow suit.

They say Dovercourt has been targeted because it is not used enough by mums giving birth, with only 44 births recorded last year.

But Clacton has much higher figures and will remain in use.

Last year a total of 770 births were recorded at Clacton and Colchester combined.

A spokesperson for Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust said: "Alongside Colchester midwifery-led unit, Clacton will be offered as an alternative place for patients expecting uncomplicated births.

“If these changes go ahead, midwives and other staff from the unit would continue to provide the resources to care for patients by working between our maternity services in Clacton, Colchester and Harwich, as they currently do.

“Aside from this, this potential change does not involve Clacton midwifery-led unit."

If the proposed changes go ahead, Dovercourt will maintain maternity services including ante-natal, post-natal and consultant clinics, but women will not be able to give birth there.