A maternity unit is to benefit from a cash injection of more than £128,000.

The Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage was successful in its bid for funding from the Department of Health to improve its services.

The £128,161 awarded will be used to provide two additional birthing pools, bringing the total available in the midwife-led unit to four. New consulting rooms are also being created in the nearby antenatal clinic, as well as new flooring.

Christine Bell, head of midwifery at the East and North Herts NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “We are delighted. Investment in these new facilities will help us look after our women even better than we do already – so this extra funding will be put to very good use.”

The grant is part of the Department of Health’s £10 million funding for maternity services to NHS organisations across England, following bids made last year.

Maternity minister Dr Dan Poulter said: “This £10m investment has been targeted to the areas we know need it the most. It has also provided a boost to the local economy by supporting local, hardworking companies who will carry out the work.”