A UNIQUE piece of artwork has been created at Malton Hospital with the help of the local community.

To celebrate the opening of the refurbished maternity unit, artist Adele Howitt was commissioned to create a lasting display.

Help was provided by people living in the Ryedale area who provided recent and historic photographs along with images of families who were born or had connections with the Malton and district midwifery Adele said: “I designed and made the ceramic frieze, the window decorations and the Malton history panel using a mix of old and new photos that the community supplied through workshops and open days.

“I loved making the project and meeting the staff team who were very inspiring with their knowledge of the history of midwifery.“ She added: “I would also like to say a big thank you to the sixth formers and Year 10 students at Malton School who created collages for the project using old family photos.”

The maternity unit at Malton Hospital is the base for a team of community midwives who deliver maternity services to the Ryedale area. The unit hosts its own antenatal clinics, both midwifery and consultant led, with access to the scanning department based in the hospital.

Linda Fairclough, lead midwife, said: “The maternity unit welcomes the newly installed art work to its first phase refurbishment.

“The team would like to thank all those who have contributed in making this a lovely environment for women and their families.”