Women in labour at a Kent hospital will not have access to gas and air pain relief, NHS bosses have announced.

An issue with ventilation on maternity wards at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford means the common method of easing the pain of childbirth will not be available.

Also known by the name Entonox, the mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas is safe for mother and baby, but increased exposure could be harmful for medical staff.

In a statement on the East Kent Hospitals website, the Trust said: "We regret and are sorry to tell you that women in labour at our maternity department at William Harvey Hospital will not be able to access Entonox (gas and air) at the moment.

"Due to a ventilation issue, the current levels of gas in the air could affect the health of staff who work for long periods in the labour rooms.

"Mums and babies are not at risk of harm.

"We expect to be able to use Entonox again within two weeks."

The update has also been shared on the Trust's maternity unit Facebook page, where many people expressed concerns about the impact on women due to go into labour in the coming days.

One person replied to say: "Oh goodness, how heartbreaking for both families and the midwives working on the unit.

"How this was ever allowed to happen is beyond me, someone needs to be held accountable."

It is understood new ventilation systems for the maternity unit have been ordered and the environment on the wards is being continually monitored.

'How this was ever allowed to happen is beyond me...'

The hospital says it will still be able to offer expectant mums every other method of pain relief.

Anyone due to give birth at the William Harvey in the coming weeks is advised to speak with their midwife about their options.

The news comes just weeks after a report revealed 45 baby deaths could have been prevented at East Kent Hospitals NHS University Trust.

An investigation into maternity services in east Kent revealed "clear and repeated" failures of professionalism from staff at the hospitals.