MIDWIFERY services will return to two Prestwich children's centres next month after officials resolved a row.

The Guide had previously reported that a dispute between Bury Council and Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust (PAHT) led to midwives moving out of Butterstile Children's Centre in School Grove and Sedgley Children’s Centre in Bishops Road.

The council asked PAHT for £100 a week to use its facilities.

Bolton medical bosses were happy to pay for facilities in Radcliffe, but PAHT chiefs refused to do the same in Prestwich, claiming they had never been asked to pay elsewhere.

In June, midwifery appointments were moved to GP practices and North Manchester General Hospital.

Leading councillors publicly rebuked PAHT chiefs, accusing them of "flatly refusing to engage" with them on the issue.

They accused health bosses of making life hard for mothers who had to travel further and said they could become ill while sharing waiting rooms with people with coughs and colds.

The council then offered an olive branch, pledging to waive the fees on the condition that PAHT would not expect any extra services, such as administration support.

PAHT has agreed to that deal and appointments will return to the two centres in September.

Bury Council's deputy leader, Cllr Rishi Shori, said: "I am pleased that we have been able to find a compromise.

"Our priority during these discussions has been the wellbeing of mothers and I am sure that they will benefit from being able to have appointments near to home."

At a Prestwich Township Forum meeting last Thursday, the council's children's representative, Cllr Paddy Heneghan, said he was pleased that the matter had been resolved, but stressed that it was important for PAHT and other organisations to work with the council for the good of residents.

A PAHT spokesman said: "We recognise the stringent financial climate facing both the council and the health service and we acknowledge the change in the council's position on charging."