THERE are dramatic new hopes that Malton Hospital's maternity unit could be saved after all, it was revealed yesterday.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has ordered a review of the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust's decision to close the unit.

Malton's delighted mayor, Coun Jane Ford, who has been one of the leaders of the campaign to save it, said yesterday: "It is absolutely brilliant news. It means that babies could be born to Ryedale mothers in Malton Hospital once again if the review goes in our favour."

She added: "For mothers to either have their babies at home or go to Scarborough General or York District hospitals is not appropriate because Ryedale is such a scattered area."

A panel from the Department of Health visited Malton Hospital yesterday after going to Whitby Hospital as well as Whitby and Bridlington Hospital maternity units which have also been under threat of closure.

Coun Ford said: "I believe this rethink has come about because of the overwhelming support from the people of Ryedale to retain the maternity unit, and from North Yorkshire County Council's health scrutiny committee report."

County Coun John Blackie, who is recovering from hospital treatment, and is the author of the 24-page scrutiny report which influenced Mr Johnson, said the minister had asked the Independent Reconfiguration Panel to take a fresh look at the future of the maternity units at Malton, Bridlington and Whitby hospitals.

"I am sure that if there had been nothing to be reconsidered, he would have turned down our request," said Mr Blackie.

"There was a lot of community support from the three towns which enabled us to put forward a robust report for keeping the units open.

Their support was a key part in Mr Johnson ordering this review.

There is cause for optimism. There will be plenty of opportunities for people to meet the panel," said Coun Blackie.

He said a special meeting of the county council's health scrutiny committee was to be held in the next few weeks when the independent panel members would be present.

"This is all about giving people local choice and for mums to have their babies where they want which is the Government's policy and the Scarborough NHS Trust does appear to have been flying in the face of that policy in making the decisions to close the maternity units.

This review is a giant step forward in our quest to have those decisions overturned."

* The Gazette & Herald launched the Birth Right campaign to help to save Malton Maternity Unit and sent a 2,000 signature-strong petition to the North East Yorkshire NHS Trust in opposition to its closure last June.