THE hospital that was the birthplace of the NHS has delivered its last ever baby.

Little Oscar Cooper weighed in at 7lbs 4oz when he came into the world at Trafford General's maternity unit on Tuesday.

Oscar was the final delivery for the maternity unit, which has closed as part of a major reorganisation of children's and maternity services in Greater Manchester.

His proud parents Chloe and Paul Cooper, from Sale, were delighted that he had claimed a special place in the history of the hospital, where health minister Aneurin Bevan launched the NHS in 1948.

Chloe, 30, said: “He is our first baby and it’s an amazing feeling to finally see him.

"We knew the maternity unit here at Trafford General was closing and we were really glad we made it in because it’s a lovely unit and if Oscar had arrived on his due date he would have been born in another hospital.

"It’s excellent that we were able to have him here and very special that he is the last baby who will be born on the unit.”

Morag Olsen, director of nursing and operations, said: “It is the end of an era at Trafford General Hospital. Our maternity service has been very highly thought of and has delivered many thousands of babies over the years. I am very proud of what our maternity staff have achieved and I am delighted that they will continue to care for local women and babies in their new roles at other hospitals.”

Trafford General’s maternity and special care baby units have been closed as part of a region-wide reorganisation of children’s and maternity services called Making it Better.

Staff from Trafford General’s maternity and special care baby units are taking up new posts at Wythenshawe and Saint Mary’s hospitals, where they will continue to care for Trafford women and their babies.