A hospital maternity unit has created a new birthing room to recreate a home from home.

The former traditional delivery room at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton has been revamped and refurbished to create a relaxing home environment.

Labour ward co-ordinators Shereen Jones and Margaret Rogers are behind the project.

Ms Jones said: "We have painted the room, added lots of soft furnishings and replaced the hospital bed with a birthing couch to help promote a non-clinical atmosphere for women in labour.

"A therapeutic environment is beneficial for women who are able to have a normal birth as they feel relaxed and can concentrate on the labour itself, in many cases making the whole process much easier.

"The home from home room is ideal for expectant mothers who like the feeling of being at home but want the reassurance of having the hospital facilities on hand."

Around £300 has already been raised to make the room possible through a raffle and donations from patients.

Fund-raising is now continuing to create a similar room at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

The room will be officially opened on Saturday to mark the International Day of the Midwife.