TRURO MP Matthew Taylor has revealed he and his wife are expecting another baby next year during a visit to the city hospital's maternity unit.

Mr Taylor says he is stepping up his campaign for a new maternity building in Truro after visiting the wards with his wife and baby son - and revealed the couple are expecting their second child next February.

The Princess Alexandra Wing at the Royal Cornwall Hospital is undergoing a long overdue £2 million refurbishment, after plans for a new £36 million unit in 2009 were put on hold last year because of the hospital's ongoing financial crisis. Although the plans for a new maternity facility have been reinstated, the current upgrade will make the facilities usable for the next few years until the all new unit comes to fruition Truro & St Austell MP Matthew Taylor congratulated the staff on their dedication and excellent record, following his visit to the wards with his wife, Vicky, and ten month old son, Arthur.

Commenting, he said: "The enthusiasm and efficiency of the staff in the maternity wing is commendable. Despite the very old buildings and ageing infrastructure they continue to do a fantastic job, and the mothers we spoke to had nothing but praise for them. The maternity service in Cornwall in fact has an excellent record.

"The refurbishment is good news, even though it is going to mean a lot of disruption for the patients and staff, and having seen the staff in action I know that they will cope with this. However, I have consistently pressed the case for a completely new maternity unit with the modern facilities that Cornish parents, their children, and the staff deserve. I will be working to ensure that there is no further delay with the plans for new facilities."

During their visit, Mr and Mrs Taylor revealed to staff that they are expecting a second child at the end of February. In fact they visited Treliske a few weeks ago for the twelve week scan, which the couple were pleased confirmed a healthy pregnancy. The couple say they are "delighted" that baby Arthur will soon have a younger brother or sister.

Mrs Taylor added: "At the moment we are hoping for a home birth, but it's early days and we need to be prepared for any eventuality. It's incredibly reassuring to know that if we do have the baby in hospital the wonderful staff at Treliske will be there."