AN initiative has been relaunched urging cafes and restaurants to sign up to show their support for breastfeeding mothers.

The Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme, backed by both Middlesbrough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, asks businesses to put up signs and notices welcoming breastfeeding mothers.

In Middlesbrough, new mothers met at the Muffin Break Café in the Hillstreet Shopping Centre while at the same time others met for fish and chips at Beach Road Fisheries in Skinningrove, East Cleveland.

Redcar and Cleveland Mayor, Barry Hunt, popped in to show his support.

Mother-of-three Claire Wakeling, of Brotton, said: “I go to a Costa in Middlesbrough and they’re great there. I’ve actually had some positive experiences. But I was talking to someone the other day and she said, ‘I didn’t think I could breastfeed in public'."

Her friend, Lesley Reed, of Loftus, also a mother-of-three, added: “When it’s your first, you can get all stressed about it. I think this is a great idea.”

In the Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council area more than 60 cafés, restaurants and business and all public council facilities have so far signed up to the initiative and in Middlesbrough a total of 41 businesses have agreed to take part.

For details visit www.breastfeedingwelcomescheme.org.uk