A £318,000 birthing centre which opened seven months ago has welcomed its hundredth baby.

The centre, at Epsom Hospital, welcomed its first arrival on the day it opened in March.

Complete with birthing pools and en-suite bathrooms, it has been designed so women who have had problem-free pregnancies can give birth naturally in a more relaxing environment, supported by midwives.

On September 20, Noah Awopetu was born - with the help of the midwife who helped deliver the centre’s first born.

His mother, Ebere Awopetu, gave birth to her son just an hour after arriving at the home-from-home birth centre.

She said: "During the pregnancy, I went for a tour of the birth centre and as soon as I saw the facilities and the level of cleanliness in the unit, I was won over.

"I knew straightaway that I wanted to give birth there and began to get in the mind-set of having a natural birth.

"The midwives were fantastic - I just couldn’t fault their care.

"The attention to detail was really impressive, and I am really pleased that I chose the birth centre."

For Ms Ebere’s midwife, team leader Katie Hamilton, the occasion was extra special.

Ms Hamilton said: "I was lucky enough to help deliver the first baby in the unit, and now have the honour of having welcomed the hundredth.

"All of the team wanted to be the one to deliver the one hundredth baby, but I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

"Noah’s birth was a lovely one to be a part of - it was very calm, even though it was very quick."

The unit, which includes three separate rooms, two birthing pools, specially-made bean bag sofas and reclining chairs, is already proving to be a hit with parents-to-be across the area, according to the trust.