South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust says the ward at Guisborough General Hospital, near Middlesbrough, will close on 15 November.

The hospital has been unable to fill vacancies for 14 full-time midwives.

The trust's consultant obstetrician Stewart Hutchinson said the "unusual circumstances" left managers with no other option.

'Last straw'

MrHutchinson said the closure will be reviewed months.

He said: "There comes a point when you cannot keep up with the pressure.

"A major factor in having to make this very unfortunate decision is that three of our midwives indicated their were emigrating to Australia.

"This is going to happen at the same time and at short notice.

"This is the last straw and we are not now able to maintain a safe service."