MOTHER'S from across the region got together yesterday to help celebrate World Breastfeeding Week.

Mams from Sunderland Bosom Buddies invited other breast-feeding mams from the across the region to join them at Seaburn beach, in Sunderland, to take part in the World’s Big Latch On.

They were asked to come along with their families to support the international public awareness raising event, and join other mothers across the world to simultaneously begin breastfeeding at exactly 10.30am in their respective times zones around the globe.

Portfolio holder for children’s services at Sunderland City Council, Councillor Louise Farthing joined director of public health, Gillian Gibson to support families taking part in Sunderland.

Cllr Farthing said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come along to support this event and help raise awareness of the many benefits of breastfeeding for both mams and babies.

“In Sunderland we work with a number of partners to support mams throughout their breastfeeding experience and I hope today’s event will help to raise awareness further.”

The international 'Big Latch On' campaign was launched in 2005 by Women's Health Action in New Zealand to promote the proven health, nutritional and psychological benefits of breastfeeding and demonstrate global support for breastfeeding in public.

Last year 17,992 breastfeeding mothers and their babies 'latched on' at 10.30am in 28 countries across the globe.