A £2million obstetrics research centre to tackle problems that particularly affect mothers and their unborn and newborn children is east London will open in Whitechapel tomorrow.

East London Advertiser: Yetunde and her daughter Irewamiri took part in the trial. Picture: BARTSYetunde and her daughter Irewamiri took part in the trial. Picture: BARTS (Image: Archant)

Barts Charity has awarded the seven-figure sum so medics can carry out landmark research to improve the health of women before, during and after pregnancy.

Mothers in East London are at particularly high risk of maternal and newborn complications such as diabetes, obesity, and difficulties during childbirth.

East London also has the highest rates in England for diabetes, with 10 -15 per cent of mothers developing it in pregnancy.

Researchers at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have created the centre which will see Professor Shakila Thangaratinam and her team will tap into a network of partners across East London.

The centre’s partners include Mile End Hospital and The Royal London in Whitechapel.