A NORFOLK midwife-led maternity unit which opened in June has just celebrated its 101st birth.

Midwives at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston delivered baby Flynn Knight on Saturday, September 24 at 5.57am.

Staff at the Dolphin Suite presented him with a knitted shawl and card to mark the occasion.

Flynn’s mum Laura Knight said: “It was lovely being able to relax in a bath during labour rather than lying in a bed.

“It was great to be able to have my own music, the nice lighting and the support from the midwives who were lovely.

“I would definitely recommend the Dolphin Suite to other expectant mums.”

The Dolphin Suite, which was opened in June this year by BBC weather presenter Julie Reinger, was the first Midwife-led Birthing Unit (MLBU) in Norfolk.

Carol Mutton, head of midwifery at the hospital, said: “When we planned the Dolphin Suite the estimate was that 10pc of births would happen there. “I am delighted that this has been surpassed and since opening in June 2011, 15pc of our total births have been in the Dolphin Suite.

“The women and their supporters who have given birth in the suite have appreciated the tranquility of the unit and really have felt it was like a home from home.

“There is a core team of midwives working there with invaluable support from community midwives who bring with them the skills they have with supporting women who choose to give birth at home.

“We look forward to welcoming the next 100 women and their supporters to our unit.”

The unit has a reception area and three en-suite birthing rooms.

Two of these have a facility for water birth plus a small sitting room.

Discreet access to emergency equipment for adult and neonatal resuscitation is also available.