CLAIRE Morgan, a family support worker at the Ark Centre in Harwich has questioned the decision to close the Harwich unit.

“Harwich has got quite a lot of low income families and we have a few families with young single parents with no means of transport and no family network,” she said.

“Some have been rehomed in the town or come here for various other reasons. The idea they have to go to Colchester to give birth is ridiculous.

“Home births are the next option and a lot of people will be absolutely terrified about it. A lot of homes where these women have been rehomed into are not suitable for home births.”