BLACKBURN with Darwen has officially become a 'breastfeeding friendly' borough.

A campaign was launched by the borough council and the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust aimed at providing more environments in businesses and public transport

for women to feel encouraged to breastfeed.

In order to secure the title, the borough also had to show its commitment included providing access to a network of mums who can provide peer support, encouragement, advice and support to new breastfeeding mothers and encouraging the public to be supportive.

Cllr Maureen Bateson, the council's executive member for children’s services, said: "Our goal in becoming a breastfeeding friendly borough is to emphasise that any mums that wish to breastfeed in Blackburn with Darwen are welcome to do so without worrying what other people might say.

"This isn’t about saying all new mums should breastfeed but that mums and babies come first and we want them to feel supported when out and about across the borough."

Angela O’Toole, head of maternity services at the hospital trust said: "Breastfeeding rates in Blackburn with Darwen have never been higher, with most new mothers breastfeeding their babies in the days and weeks after birth.

"We fully support the high profile campaign such which lets everyone know that the borough is 100 per cent behind breastfeeding."