The closure of the units in Shepton Mallet and Frome, would mean expectant parents travelling to Yeovil or Bath.

The units are run by West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), which is reviewing maternity services and is expected to report in the next few weeks.

Ann Nash, who heads the team carrying out the review, said: "There are lots of figures from previous reviews that show there are too many beds for the number of births in the area."

'Facility needed'

She added: "And the birth trend in Somerset and Wiltshire has been dropping for the last few years.

"But no decision has yet been made. I know it is hard for people who want to know that their local services will be available."

Maternity services are provided by West Wiltshire PCT to people in Bath & North East Somerset, Mendip, Kennet and North Wiltshire and Cotswold and Vale.

Local councillor Terry O'Conner said: "It would be very difficult for people in the area to travel to Yeovil. We need this facility in Shepton."