A Midlands maternity unit, named as one of the worst in Britain by a health watchdog, is to invest nearly £1 million in modernisation.

New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton was named on Monday by the Healthcare Commission as one of three centres where new mothers and their babies' lives were at risk.

A review of maternity services by commission inspectors found that of the 20 babies who died in the unit between 2001 and 2003, half may have lived if they received better care.

Yesterday the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, announced work on the project would begin in September.

The £900,000 scheme will include a new foetal assessment centre for women. The hospital's antenatal clinic will also be refurbished, to include comfortable couches and reclining chairs.

State-of-the-art antenatal surveillance equipment worth £ 25 , 000 , donated by Coventry-based charity Baby Lifeline, will be installed in the assessment centre to monitor babies in the womb.

Two play areas and a revamped main entrance to the maternity unit will also be included in the six-month scheme.

Sandra Reading, the trust's head of midwifery, said: "This wonderful development will provide a much more comfortable, modern environment for mothers-to-be.

"The addition of the foetal assessment centre will bring extra reassurance for mothers during more difficult pregnancies.

"It will include really hightech equipment, which will allow extra surveillance during pregnancy for babies considered to be at risk, bringing the healthiest possible outcomes for a mother and her baby.

"This project is part of a whole range of improvements made recently throughout our maternity services."

While the refurbishments are carried out, the antenatal clinic will be moved into temporary accommodation near the maternity unit.