Tim Farron has shared his fears that a maternity unit in Kendal is facing 'permanent closure'.

The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale has asked the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting for an urgent meeting to discuss the currently temporary closure of the birthing centre at Helme Chase.

Read more: MP Tim Farron launches petition to 'save' Helme Chase | The Westmorland Gazette

In May, the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust suspended birth services at Helme Chase for six months due to a lack of midwives available to safely staff the unit.

Mr Farron said: “Our maternity unit has been underfunded for years now by the Trust due to cuts to rural health services.

“I am greatly concerned that a temporary six month suspension could become a permanent closure unless urgent is action is taken.

"The Trust needs to be given the funding and resources to properly staff Helme Chase and give the unit a new lease of life after years of underinvestment."

More than 2,000 people have signed the MP's petition calling for investment from the Government to address the staffing issues at the site.