NHS supported home births will continue on a "case-by-case basis" despite the current coronavirus lockdown.

Bo Hamilton-Cody, Head of Midwifery at East Cheshire NHS Trust said, "We are pleased to be able to offer our homebirth service to women of East Cheshire following an individual assessment and discussion.

"Safety remains our number one priority and we are working hard, looking at all possible solutions, to be able to open this offer out to all women who wish to choose this option."

Ms Hamilton-Cody addressed concerns about longer ambulance wait times, saying: "Pregnant women should be assured that an emergency maternity call will be classed as priority."

The Trust say they will also support partners to attend pregnancy scans at 12 and 20 weeks.

Ms Hamilton-Cody said: "We know how important it is for partners to be involved at this special time. They will be asked to wait outside of the antenatal clinic area, socially distanced, until their partner is called in for her scan. Partners should not attend if they have been in contact with or have symptoms of COVID-19."

The Trust is encouraging women to attend all of their appointments during the current lockdown, which is permitted under the current rules.