THE Northern Echo has been working with two new mothers collecting photographs of the babies born during lockdown at a North-East hospital.

Danielle Todd and Emma Barker, who are both from Darlington and have given birth since the start of the lockdown, asked other new mothers to share photographs of their babies to make a collage for the maternity ward at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

So far, more than 180 new parents have been involved in the project, and when lockdown restrictions are lifted they are hoping to all meet in person to take a photo of them together and to organise a fundraising event for NHS charities.

The Northern Echo: Albie Ashton 26 March - 8lb 2ozAlbie Ashton 26 March - 8lb 2oz

Emma, 34, whose daughter Evelyn was born on May 16, said: “We wanted to put something together as a gesture to the NHS and to say thank you. She said: “It’s a big part of history having a baby in lockdown.

"We have been overwhelmed by the response. It is lovely to share these fabulous photographs."

The Northern Echo: William Ewan Smails, who was born at Darlington Memorial Hospital on April 26, 2020, weighing 7lbs 1ozWilliam Ewan Smails, who was born at Darlington Memorial Hospital on April 26, 2020, weighing 7lbs 1oz