In Bath, the hospital will refurbish 10 delivery suites, including one which has a birthing pool.

BBC: Somerset and Bath maternity units share ?1.2m grant

Dr Odent, who invented the birthing pool in the 1960s, said anxious men risked passing their concerns on to their partner.

BBC: 'Keep men out of delivery room'

Mrs Smith, whose second baby Thomasina was born in its birthing pool in August, said she was "shocked" by the unit's closure.

BBC: Cotswold Maternity Unit in Chipping Norton closed