THE Mail has been given an exclusive first look at the new South Lakes Birthing Centre at Furness General Hospital in Barrow - and captured the tour on camera to share with our readers.

Stunning video and photos from inside the new building - which will be unveiled to the public during open days this Saturday and Sunday (January 13 and 14) - show the state-of-the-art facility in all its glory.

The new £12m, 2,553 sq m unit is made up of 14 ensuite birthing rooms with facilities for partners to stay over, two dedicated operating theatres, a special care baby unit, a maternity assessment area, a transitional care facility, a skills lab for staff training, and a bereavement suite.

Building started on the unit in September 2016 and has taken just under 15 months to complete. Throughout December, a period of commissioning will take place to ensure all the equipment is installed and tested and the unit is cleaned.

This month multi-disciplinary teams have started their induction and training in the unit, which is essential to ensure staff feel at home and fully equipped in their new environment. The centre will officially open for action on February 14.

During the move from the current unit into the new unit, both will be staffed to ensure a smooth transition for staff, women and families.

Sascha Wells, director of midwifery, gynaecology and obstetrics at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs FGH, said: “This is a very exciting time for our teams and everyone in the Barrow area. South Lakes Birth Centre is everything we could ever want."