Maternity services were on a knife-edge last night as a condemned mother-and-baby unit was given a temporary reprieve.

Managers at the debt-ridden East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust told staff on Monday they were planning to close the maternity unit at Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

The move would have forced 2,000 women a year to travel up to 30 miles to Eastbourne General, the next nearest maternity ward.

The Argus has learnt the plan is due to be withdrawn after the trust consulted surgeons - but a question mark remains over long-term maternity provision in hospitals across the county.

Hastings MP Michael Foster last night warned that any move to close down maternity services in St Leonards - still regarded as a long-term possibility despite the trust's about-face - would be a devastating blow for hundreds of women.

He said: "Many families in Hastings don't have their own transport and to expect them to get to Eastbourne is outrageous.

"I appreciate not all hospitals can have experts on everything but there are some basic services such as maternity that towns such as Hastings and Eastbourne should be able to maintain."

Mr Foster was informed by medical director Dr David Scott that the trust was withdrawing the closure plans late yesterday afternoon and a management meeting was to take place this morning to confirm the change.

He said: "I am pleased they have reached this decision but if they return to these plans in the future, my opposition still stands."

The trust had proposed closing the Frank Shaw unit within the next few weeks as an interim measure while Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority reviewed all health facilities in the county.

The trust is still reviewing all services, including obstetrics, and there are fears it may ultimately cut the number of maternity units in the county from 11 to six.

The Argus reported in April that the trust was £5 million in debt because of overspending in 2004/05. It managed to break even in 2005/06 with a budget of £206 million but must still make cutbacks to pay back its remaining debt.

Matt and Jemma Jacobs, of Percy Road, Hastings, are expecting their first baby in December.

Mrs Jacobs, 25, said: "We live two minutes away from Conquest and I'd never worried about getting there. If we have to drive 20 miles to Eastbourne it will be very different, especially in rush hour. The traffic in Bexhill Road is a nightmare. You can be stuck for an hour trying to get into Eastbourne. It's an added anxiety we could do without."

Royal College of Midwives regional officer Trish Dutfield said: "We are aware there may be plans to consult on maternity service provision in East Sussex. I will be working closely with local midwives to challenge any areas of concern and I hope the trust will pay heed to the Government's commitment to listen to patient choice."

A trust spokesman said: "Our prime concern is patient safety. Discussions will take place at a meeting today to address this ongoing speculation."