Pram-pushing mums joined NHS staff and community leaders in The Square on Monday before marching on the Swan Street hospital, banging drums as they went. Once there East Hampshire MP Michael Mates cut a ribbon decorated with baby grows and children's clothes to symbolically open the new service.

Sarah Roberts, of the National Childbirth Trust, led a campaign to see the centre opened after the NHS closed it for one-and-a-half years due to staffing shortages.

"In July 2005 we started our campaign. Nearly three years ago we stood here to protest that such a valuable community facility had been taken away.

"Today we stand here thrilled and delighted that this service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Since the new system was introduced on April 1, 19 babies have been born at the centre and 39 women have recovered there after giving birth at other hospitals.

"Many more people will benefit from this service and its permanent staff of highly-trained midwives," she said.

The Save The Grange Campaign, which took its fight to Downing Street in a bid to force the NHS to re-open the centre, will now become the Friends of the Grange Maternity Centre and work to support and promote the service.

Michael Mates MP thanked Mrs Roberts for her efforts in keeping the campaign going.

"We should say thank you to one person and that's Sarah Roberts," he said. "She has been persistent and always knocking on the door and trying to get something done.

"We went to Downing Street and had meetings and it was entirely down to her good work."

He also paid tribute to the NHS, and head of midwifery Donna Ockenden, who reinstated the centre and then improved it.

"We weren't too polite about Donna and her team three years ago but now is the time to say thank you for listening and giving us back our service in Petersfield."

Mrs Ockenden handed a key to Mrs Roberts to "symbolise the fact that the Grange Maternity Centre is open 24 hours a day."