A campaign to improve the maternity building at a hospital has been launched on the NHS's 75th birthday with a £500,000 donation by Lord Swraj Paul.

The business magnate is a close friend of local MP Barry Gardiner, who introduced him to Northwick Park hospital and suggested it was a worthy cause.

The money will be used to improve the façade of the building and make improvements to the main entrance.

The maternity unit serves one of the most diverse communities in the UK and delivers more than 4,000 babies a year. It is one of the first units in the country to offer a 24/7 translation service for pregnant women whose first language isn’t English.

Mr Gardiner said: “The maternity service has improved so much in recent years and women need a building that reflects the amazing quality of care they will find inside.

Lord Paul said: “The maternity unit donation is made in honour of my dear late wife, Lady Aruna, who gave me my four darling children. There are few things as important as helping bring a new life into the world.

“That is why I wanted to support the midwives and staff who do such wonderful work here at Northwick Park”.

Pippa Nightingale, Chief Executive of LNWH, added: “We are grateful to Lord Paul for his generous donation. I started my career as a midwife so know how important it is to make women feel safe and comfortable in a maternity service.

“It is a place where they are putting their trust in the NHS to safely care for them during pregnancy and birth.”

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) provides hospital and community services to the people of Harrow, Bren and Ealing. Established on 1 October 2014, the 9,000 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of approximately one million people.