Mothers, campaigners, and health bosses gathered for a workshop ahead of public consultations into the future of local maternity services.

The event, held on Monday at Whitehaven's United Reformed Church, saw around 40 people discuss the emerging options including maintaining consultant-led services at Whitehaven, daytime-only consultants at the West Cumberland Hospital or all births heading to Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary.

Concerns raised at the workshop included increased pressure on midwives, recruitment of paramedics, emergency ambulance services and travel distances.

Also attending were Stephen Eames, chief executive at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, members of the campaigning groups Voice for Health and We Need West Cumberland Hospital, health professionals, members of the Maternity Services Liaison Committee and representatives from the Government-appointed Success Regime.

Widespread public consultation on maternity services will start at the end of this month with the results revealed early next year.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed, has urged the Success Regime to retain 24-hour consultant-led services at West Cumberland Hospital.

He has written to Sir Neil McKay, the chair of the West, North and East Cumbria Success Regime, stating he will not endorse the Success Regime if they recommend the removal of 24-hour consultant-led services.

Mr Reed said: "Here in West Cumbria, a nuclear host community, local people have performed an integral role in the service of this nation for more than 60 years.

"As a result, the Government owes a specific obligation to my community. "It is only right that we are afforded access to vital consultant led services at the West Cumberland Hospital.''

Mr Reed will host and chair a public meeting on the future of health services in West Cumbria at the United Reformed Church next Wednesday, September 21, at 7pm.