A CAMPAIGN to prevent any more babies being born with alcohol-related damage caused by the drinking of mothers-to-be is be launched.

A survey by Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, revealed that just 29 per cent of people in Stockton borough were aware of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD), where babies have been damaged by alcohol before before birth.

There is no detailed research into FASD in the UK but some international studies estimate that between one and five percent of the population could be affected.

Permanent disabilities that can be caused include physical disabilities, learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

Stockton Council's cabinet committee will consider a report on how to raise awareness of FASD at the committee's next meeting on Thursday, May 19 in Stockton Central Library at 4.30pm.

Ideas include instigating a a public information campaign using all media; engaging with licensed premises to help stop the sale of alcohol to pregnant women; promotion at schools, publishing promotional material such as leaflets; circulating the council report to all relevant bodies and supporting research into the subject. Pubwatch had already been approached and was supportive.

The council report to be considered by cabinet explained that about 200 North East and North Yorkshire families were directly helped by the FASD Network and another 800 were helped online.

It concluded: "It was perceived that many knew that it was not advisable to drink in pregnancy but not necessarily why this was the case. Prevention messages also needed to be aimed at males, recognising their supporting role.

"It was likely that many women would drink to some extent without knowing they were pregnant. Preventative messages needed to be sensitive to this and revised to reflect this."