Volunteers who have helped scores of new mums to breastfeed their babies were thanked during a celebration thrown in their honour.

East Coast Community Healthcare's (ECCH) breastfeeding support team hosted the event at the Parkhill Hotel in Oulton.

The aim was to highlight the contribution their 30 volunteer peer supporters have made to mums and babies in the Waveney area.

Breastfeeding team lead Margaret Baluta, who is also a specialist health visitor, said: 'Not all babies find breastfeeding easy. It can be quite tricky to master at first and we're here to help - but we couldn't do it without our volunteers who give up their time to support and share information and skills that enable mothers to have a positive journey in the early days of breastfeeding.'

ECCH's team of specialist professionals offer seven-day and out-of-hours advice and support for breastfeeding families. They are assisted by volunteer peer supporters at free breastfeeding cafés, children's centres and within the James Paget University Hospital.

Jonathan Williams, chief executive of East Coast Community Healthcare, presented certificates of thanks to the peer supporters.

The cafés currently operate at the Butterflies Children's Centre, Beccles, Kessingland Library, Dragonflies Children's Centre, Halesworth, and Kirkley Children's Centre, Lowestoft.

See this week's Journal for the full story and more photos.