FAMILY support charity Home-Start West Somerset is helping new mums tackle breastfeeding problems - thanks to financial support from a local club.

Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club captain Gerry Mason has nominated Home-Start West Somerset as the club's 'charity of the year'.

And funds raised so far are helping to get the organisation's Breastfeeding Support Project underway.

The initiative comes after local health visitor Ali Carter approached Home-Start manager Ali Sanderson about training some of the charity's home visiting volunteers to offer specialist support to breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding rates in the UK are among the lowest in Europe and yet experts say evidence shows that breastfeeding contributes to the physical health and emotional well-being of mother and child in both the short and long term and provides all the nutrients a baby needs.

"Threequarters of British mothers who stopped breastfeeding in the first six months and 90 per cent of those who stopped in the first two weeks say they would have liked to have continued for longer but lacked the support and advice they needed," said Ali Sanderson.

"Home-Start's well established and unique approach to voluntary support for families makes it well placed to provide a quality breastfeeding service for West Somerset families that will increase successful initiation and duration of breastfeeding."

Mrs Sanderson said both she and Ali Carter were very grateful to the golf club for its support, which had provided 12 mobile phones to be used by the breastfeeding supporters.

"We are delighted to be working closely with local health professionals on this project and are encouraged to know that we have the backing of community members as we seek to respond to local need and provide effective support for families who need us."

Home-Start will begin its next course for home visiting volunteers on October 14 and anyone wanting to know more about the charity's work can contact organisers on 01643 707304.

Ali Sanderson is pictured shaking hands with Gerry Mason, alongside health visitor Ali Carter and breastfeeding support volunteers holding the new mobile phones and knitted 'props' for teaching good breastfeeding positioning.