BRISTOL mums will be able to text, email or call for support when they are breastfeeding with the launch of a new initiative in the city.

Volunteers will help mums through the peer support scheme.

NHS Bristol has commissioned Barnardo's to run the service, which will support the work of local health services and children's services in helping more mothers not only choose to breastfeed but to breastfeed for as long as they want.

The scheme, which launches at the Withywood Centre today will be available to mums in Whitchurch Park, Hartcliffe, Bishopsworth, Filwood, Stockwood, Hengrove, Avonmouth, Kingsweston, Southmead, Henbury, Lockleaze and Hillfields. It will launch at the Greenway Centre in Southmead next week.

Mothers in these areas who have been able to breastfeed successfully and feel they can help others can offer to be volunteers as part of the scheme.

Nicki Symes, breastfeeding development manager for NHS Bristol said: "We are pleased that more targeted support is now on offer to mums in areas where breastfeeding rates are lower.

"Breastfeeding rates in Bristol have been showing a steady rise over the last couple of years since becoming the UK's first Baby Friendly city.

"We are hoping that this extra community mother-to-mother support will help mums to breastfeed for as long as they wish."

To find out more about the scheme, visit www.bristol.nhs.uk/your-health/breastfeeding.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the scheme can contact Barnardo's on 0117 978 2441.