HEALTH bosses who closed Malmesbury Maternity Unit because of a shortage of staff say they will re-advertise for midwives after the summer.

The closure of the unit was extended until January 9 after West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was unable to fill vacancies at both Malmesbury and Chippenham maternity units.

The Malmesbury unit was originally due to reopen on September 1.

Jenny Barker, director of operations at the trust, said: "We have had a fairly active recruitment campaign but due to the uncertainty we have not been able to attract the number of midwives we need to run both units.

"The adverts have been altered and a new recruitment campaign will take place after the summer holidays."

Julie Clatworthy, the trust's chief nurse, said the decision not to reopen until January 9 had been made in conjunction with midwives who felt tit would take time for checks to be completed on applicants.

Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was told at its recent board meeting of a minor fire which occurred at Malmesbury Hospital on June 9. Staff smelt smoke and called 999. As a precaution staff and some patients were evacuated from the hospital.

The fire was caused by an electrical fault in a window fan control box.

The inner office of the minor injuries unit was smoke logged with minor damage caused.