It has confirmed that there are too many beds for the number of births, which are expected to drop in the coming decade.

Residents, concerned that units in Wiltshire and Somerset may close as a result, have been told that "consolidation of beds onto fewer sites is still an option".

Ann Nash, leading the review, stressed that the team do not put forward solutions, but will be setting out options for the relevant Primary Care Trusts (PCT) in the coming weeks.

Final decisions are then expected by the end of the year, with implementation by next spring.

The services looked at were provided by West Wiltshire PCT to people served by Bath & North East Somerset, Kennet and North Wilts, and Mendip PCTs.

Patients from bordering Cotswold and Vale and Swindon PCTs also use the services.

They are provided in the RUH at Bath, and community hospitals in Chippenham, Devizes, Trowbridge, Malmesbury, Frome, Paulton and Shepton Mallet.