A NEW breast-feeding centre offering support and help to mothers has opened in Chorley.

The centre at the Highfield Early Years Centre, Wright Street, will be open to anyone who wants information about breast-feeding and is keen to recruit new members.

It is manned by two breast-feeding supporters, who are volunteers with the Breastfeeding Network, together with a health visitor.

Women can just drop in for a short while or attend the whole session.

It is Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust's second breast-feeding centre. The other in South Ribble has been a success, says the trust.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "Fourteen new mums arrived on the opening day last Friday which is quite good really."

Annette Pickering, mum and supporter with the group, said: "The best thing about a centre like this is you can be yourself. You can breast-feed without feeling self-conscious. "There is help available if you need it and the social aspect of meeting other mums with babies of a similar age who are also breast feeding".

Jane Putsey, Breastfeeding Network supporter, said: "It has been really exciting to be part of this venture. There has been so much enthusiasm and support from mums, health professionals, breast-feeding supporters and the trust. We hope this will continue at our Chorley venue."

The centre is open from 12.30pm-2pm every Friday.