A SERVICE will be held this weekend to remember babies who have died in Derwentside.

The church service will also include the dedication of a memorial book for all babies who died at, or around, the time of birth at Shotley Bridge General Hospital and in the Derwentside area.

The book used to be kept in the hospital chapel, but following an £8m refurbishment of the building, the chapel and the book have been moved to ward two.

Staff decided they wanted to do something special to mark the occasion.

Sister Helen Shannon, of the hospital, said: "Witnessing the birth of a new child is an incredibly exciting and happy experience. But the pain of losing a baby around the time of birth is probably the most tragic experience that any parent can go through.

"Staff from the hospital are also deeply affected by these tragedies.

"Although the book is specifically for the families of babies who died at Shotley Bridge Hospital, the service is for all families in Derwentside who have endured the pain of losing a baby.

"We hope that by joining together with other families, they will seek comfort from each other."

The service will be held at Christ Church, Consett, at 3pm tomorrow.