BUSINESSES which cater for breastfeeding mothers in Darlington could be given official praise under a new scheme.

The idea of an accreditation scheme is being floated by Sure Start, which supports disadvantaged families in the town.

Council chiefs in Hull already ran an accreditation scheme for local cafes, shops and public buildings which provided high quality and clean facilities, Darlington councillors were told this week.

Sure Start queried whether the borough council had a policy of supporting its own breastfeeding employees.

Coun Marion Swift admitted: "We should look at putting our own house in order and then look at others."

A council spokesman said: "Most council employees in that situation would use our Kids and Co nursery where there are facilities for changing and feeding babies, but it is not something that happens regularly there."

There were also facilities at the Dolphin Centre, he said