She may not have a bun in the oven, but Great British Bake Off presenter and comedienne Mel Giedroyc returned to the hospital where she was born yesterday to officially open its £318,000 birthing centre.

Giedroyc was the guest of honour at the event and cut the ribbon in front of a crowd of midwives, new parents and other staff at Epsom Hospital.

The birthing centre welcomed its first baby in March and includes three separate rooms, two birthing pools, specially made bean bag sofas and reclining chairs.

Giedroyc, who grew up in Leatherhead, was met by the hospital’s chief executive Chrisha Alagaratnam and joint medical director Dr Ruth Charlton, before going on a guided tour of the home-from-home facilities.

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She said: "As a mother of two, I was absolutely delighted to declare the new Birth Centre at Epsom open.

"It’s a great facility for local parents-to-be, and during my time there it was clear to see just how proud the staff are of their new unit.

"I was born at Epsom Hospital, so relished the opportunity to go and visit.

"I’m sure that people would associate me with cutting cake rather than cutting ribbons, but today it was all about the ribbon."

Ms Alagaratnam added: "We were absolutely delighted to welcome Mel to our hospital today, and would like to thank her for taking the time out of her busy schedule to visit us.

"We are all incredibly proud of our Birth Centre, and are so pleased that it’s been officially opened in such style."

Sally Sivas, head of midwifery, said that "in true Bake Off style" the team could not let the event pass without providing some bunting and cakes.

"Our midwives and other staff are huge fans of the British Bake Off, so today was a real celebration for us," she said.

For more information about the unit visit www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/maternity.