Dales family says Friarage must not downgrade children's and maternity services

A family from the Yorkshire Dales say it's imperative that a North Yorkshire hospital retains its current level of paediatric and maternity services.

One family say the Friarage is the only hospital close enough to where they live.

Amanda Owen is seven months pregnant with her seventh child and worries about the distance for her whole family.

The future of paediatric and maternity services at the Friarage hospital in Northallerton is being looked at by the government.

Plans include downgrading the care on offer, which the local trust claims could be more sustainable and safer for patients.

No timescale has been put on the plans, and the Health Secretary is said to be looking at them in detail before any final decision is made.