More than 30 breastfeeding mums have gathered in Gorleston to take part in the Global Big Latch On event.

Thirty-three mothers took part in the event at The Healthy Start Baby Café at Seagulls Children's Centre, which was part of a world-wide initiative to raise awareness of the benefits but also the need for support for mums who choose to breastfeed.

Friends and family also attended, meaning 88 people were registered at the Saturday morning event, with the numbers being sent to the co-ordinators of the global event.

Between August 1 and 7 each year the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action organises World Breastfeeding Week. The week is now celebrated in 92 different locations around the UK and 28 countries.

As part of it Friday and Saturday saw thousands of breastfeeding women and their children across the world gathered in their own communities to take part in the Global Big Latch On, a synchronised breastfeeding event in multiple locations.

Midwife and breastfeeding specialist Curita Reilly said: 'The event was a great success, with many local mums bringing their babies along.

'The aim is to promote, protect and support breastfeeding families and the local figures have been provided to the global event organisers who have so far recorded 17,790 mothers taking part and 50,383 attending.'

Kay Horn, infant feeding coordinator and midwife at Gorleston's James Paget University Hospital, explained how the hospital helps new mums with advice.

She said: 'We work with mothers to help and encourage them to breastfeed although we are conscious it has to be a decision for each individual.

'There are health benefits for both mum and baby and therefore we aim to explain and advise, but support from other mums can also be important and this event gave the opportunity to meet other women and to have a chat.'

The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life to optimise benefits for mothers and their babies.

For more information on the benefits of breastfeeding visit www.jpaget.nhs.uk/departments-services/departments-services-a-z/maternity-services/breastfeeding/