Two hundred babies have been delivered at a new birthing centre in less time than it takes for one pregnancy.

The Maidstone Birthing Centre, in the grounds of Maidstone Hospital in Hermitage Lane, opened on September 22 last year, and had its busiest day the day before it recorded its 200th birth, delivering eight babies in a 24-hour period, three of them in one hour.

Consultant midwife, Sarah Gregson, said of the unprecedented day: “It was an absolutely wonderful day, with birth centre staff and our community midwives pulling together to deliver eight babies.”

She added: “We are absolutely delighted that in seven months we have already seen our expectations exceeded.

"It goes to show that prospective parents across the area are keen to use the birth centre and its fantastic facilities.”

Pictured above is Emma Bolton, with new baby Liam and son Mikey, one of the new arrivals on one busy day.