Dog watches woman give birth

Hospital managers in Bristol have insisted that a dog allowed on to a maternity ward while its owner gave birth was there as a therapy dog and not as a pet.

They said the pregnant woman was allowed to bring her Labrador - called Barney - into the delivery room at St Michael's Hospital because of his "calming presence".

But a source said there were concerns from some of the medics that delivery room hygiene was put at risk.

The hospital said Barney regularly visits wards in his role as a therapy dog and approval had been sought from its infection control experts.