A maternity unit has been forced to close for births for three months because of staffing shortages.

Pregnant women will not be able to give birth at Montrose Community Maternity Unit, NHS Tayside announced on Monday.

Antenatal and postnatal care will continue to operate during the temporary closure, which comes into force on Tuesday.

The health board said the unit, which supports around 12 births a month, is expected to become fully operational again in September.

Justine Craig, head of midwifery at NHS Tayside, said: "As a result of staffing shortages, we have had to make the difficult decision to temporarily close Montrose Community Maternity Unit for births, with women being given a choice of where they would like to give birth instead.

"We know that this may be upsetting for some women who had planned to give birth at Montrose, however, we must provide a maternity service with appropriately skilled staff which is safe for women and staff.

"Our Montrose maternity team and other support staff will be working out of the community maternity unit at Arbroath Infirmary alongside the Arbroath maternity team and this will ensure continuity of care."

Ms Craig added: "Women in Angus will continue to have the full range of options for place of birth which include Arbroath CMU, the Dundee Midwifery Unit, home birth or birth in a consultant-led unit in Ninewells Hospital.

"Women who were due to give birth at Montrose are being contacted and advised about the new arrangements and will be able to discuss birth options with an Angus community midwife, where further information will be provided and any concerns discussed."