CAMPAIGNING councillors have called on all maternity services to retained in Tendring.

Harwich and Clacton’s maternity units has been temporarily closed for new births until at least June.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust said midwives are instead covering staff shortages in Colchester.

But Tendring councillors fear the move is part of a plan to close units permanently.

Speaking at Tendring Council's meeting, Ivan Henderson, leader of the council’s Labour group, put forward a motion – which was unanimously agreed – calling for all existing maternity services to be retained in both Harwich and Clacton and for no long-term review to take place until the units are fully functioning again.

“This is about a woman’s choice – a woman’s choice to go into a local maternity unit,” he said.