Nearly 200 'war babies' who were born in an ancient castle which doubled as an emergency maternity ward have gathered to toast its success 70 years on from the start of the Second World War.

Picturesque Hazlewood Castle near Tadcaster, North Yorks., was chosen as a safe haven for expectant mothers in 1939 amid fears that city centre hospitals would be targeted by enemy bombers.

Thousands of babies were delivered in what is now a grand drawing room – and nearly a thousand people assembled at the castle on Wednesday - the day before the anniversary of the outbreak of war - to share stories and memories.

The historic building – which dates back to 1086 and is mentioned in the Domesday Book – was recommissioned by the Ministry of Health and converted into a maternity hospital as the war began.

The first baby born at the makeshift hospital was Hazel Hewitt, born on 15 September 1939, and she returned with her birth certificate to her namesake - which she was named after.