A hospital maternity unit critically short of midwives has managed to fill seven of its 11 vacancies.

The unit at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton had to close its antenatal ward to ease pressure on existing workers.

The new midwives will start work as soon as possible and will be joined in the next six weeks by staff who have taken part in the hospital's "return to midwifery" scheme.

Officials hope to recruit newly-qualified midwives when they finish their course next month.

Although the hospital is close to filling its immediate vacancy problems, it still needs another two dozen midwives to provide the full service demanded of it.

A hospital spokesman said: "We had a better-than-expected response to our recruitment campaign, which has helped with the immediate problem, but more midwives are still needed."

The hospital has sent out letters to expectant mums, urging them to consider going home earlier after giving birth to help create more space.

Mothers may also have to go to another hospital in Sussex if the unit at Brighton is full.