WOULD-BE mums are being urged to have a behind-the-scenes look at Clacton Hospital’s maternity unit in a bid to get more women to use it.

The unit was threatened with closure earlier this year, but health bosses said it would remain open following a campaign led by the Gazette.

A consultation is now under way to decide whether the unit will be opened on a 24/7 basis or remain as an ‘on-demand’ service.

Health bosses are opening the maternity unit to the public on October 31 in a bid to increase awareness of the range of services it provides.

Anyone wanting to visit the unit can drop in at any point between 9am and 7pm, when midwives will be on hand to answer any questions.

The event includes yoga taster sessions at 10.30am, 2pm and 6pm, relaxation class at 11am, belly bump painting at noon, a water birth taster session at 1pm and introduction to hypnobirthing at 3pm.

Visitors can take their children to the event, which also includes face painting.

A consultation over the future of the unit started this week and runs until December 10.