A GROUP of hardworking midwives within the area's hospital have been awarded special cupcakes as a thank you for their round the clock efforts delivering hundreds of babies every year.

The cakes were dished out to the team at Furness General Hospital's maternity unit during International Day of the Midwife.

The event, which is celebrated in countries around the world, also saw the staff meet to share stories of their profession as well as taking part in a unique question and answer session on the social media platform Twitter to give anyone the chance to ask them midwifery-related questions.

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FGH community midwife Julie Oakes, who is also a specialist in antenatal mental health, said: "I decided to become a midwife after witnessing births during my nurse training. 

"The miracle of life was just so amazing; I wanted to be a part of it. 

"As a midwife, I feel honoured to be with families at this special time." 

The event was declared a success by Sascha Wells, the head of midwifery at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust - the organisation that runs FGH.

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Mrs Wells said: "Midwives at FGH play a crucial role in maternal and child health and the International Day of the Midwife is an important day to share the essential services they provide. 

"I would like to the opportunity to thank and celebrate, not only our midwives who work at FGH, but all our midwives across Morecambe Bay, across the UK and around the world."