The unit's breastfeeding clinic was highly commended in the Tesco/Royal College of Midwives Millennium Award.

"We are delighted," said Paulette Lewis, the hospital's director of midwifrey. "Our aim is to promote breastfeeding in Croydon because it gives babies the best start in life.

"Mothers can just turn up to the clinic without an appointment and the midwives, health visitors and counsellors will give them all the help and support they need to breastfeed."