A NEW scheme to encourage New Forest mothers to have their children at home has been given a boost with a visit from a senior health figure.

Baroness Cumberledge, vice president of the Royal College of Midwifery and a Patron of the National Childbirth Trust, visited newly reopened birthing centres in Hythe and Lymington.

New Forest Primary Care Trust has pledged its commitment to helping mums give birth at home or as close to home as possible rather than attending larger centres such as Southampton General Hospital.

Baroness Cumberledge praised the quality of local birthing centres and gave the project her full backing.

She said: "I have had two babies at home myself and know what benefits that can bring. I felt fully supported by my midwife as I had been able to develop a very close relationship with her before the births.

"Having my babies at home was definitely the right choice for me and any scheme which aims to promote births at home or local birthing centres is a very positive development."