A MOTHER who lost twin boys during pregnancy is helping run a support group for East Lancashire parents who have suffered similar agony.

Jayne Morant was inspired to join the Stillbirth and Neo-natal Death Society (SANDS) after turning to the support group when twins Andrew and Luke died five years ago.

Jayne, 38, was so impressed with the help she was given, she decided to spend her free time helping others who have gone through the same terrible experience.

The group will hold a service to help bereaved parents remember their babies and children at St Peter's Church, Church Street, Burnley, this Sunday.

The service is aimed at parents who have suffered miscarriages, stillbirths or the sudden death of an infant.

It will be led by the Rev Christopher Peters, the chaplain at Burnley General Hospital. There will be readings by members of SANDS and the East Lancashire NHS Trust, and parents will be given the opportunity to have their child's name read out and a candle lit in their memory.

A book of remembrance will also be available for parents to leave messages.

SANDS was set up in 1986 by Clare Duxbury, of Nelson, whose son Ben Joseph died just a day after he was born.

When Jayne suffered her own loss it was to Clare that she turned for help and support.

She said: "I was in total shock when I lost the twins and I couldn't speak to my husband or my family about what had happened and how I was feeling.

"I needed someone who had gone through the same thing and Clare was absolutely wonderful. She really helped me get through and made me understand that I wasn't going crazy but that my feelings were all part of the natural grieving process.

"Because she had been so good, I wanted to try and help others so I got involved in SANDS and I have been there ever since."

Jayne, who has two children, Bethany, six, and Alex, four, said the group has done a huge amount in the last few years to try and ease the suffering of parents who have lost children.

There is now a suite of rooms at Burnley General Hospital where families who have suffered a bereavement can stop over, away from the maternity unit where they used to have to stay.

The society has also paid for cameras so hospital staff can offer to take pictures of babies for parents.

Two years ago a baby memorial garden was opened at Burnley Cemetery where parents can go and sit to remember loved ones.

The members of the group work closely with the hospital staff, especially the midwives, to make sure they are offering the best support they can to bereaved parents.