GRANTS totalling £1,770 have been awarded to a local branch of the UK's leading charity for parents.

The money will help hundreds of new parents in West Devon by training two antenatal teachers and five breastfeeding counsellors.

Plymouth and West Devon National Childbirth Trust's awards have come from the Co-op's Community Fund, the Norman Family Charitable Trust, South West Water's Charitable Donations Trust and Holbeton Parish Council.

Once fully trained, the two new ante-natal teachers will support 200 local parents every year.

Their work will enable parents to make informed choices for birth and parenthood, as well as improving the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of both them and their children.

Each of the new breastfeeding counsellors will work with an average of 170 parents each year as part of NCT courses and drop-ins, on the charity's breastfeeding helpline or through local, direct telephone counselling and face-to-face support.

Plymouth and West Devon NCT does not have any ante-natal teachers or breastfeeding counsellors of its own and is reliant on the occasional availability of NCT specialist workers from outside the area.

Kate Ness Pomroy, Plymouth and West Devon NCT's Crapstone-based branch co-ordinator, said: 'We are thrilled to have been awarded these grants. It will allow us to help more parents than ever before through pregnancy and the challenging early weeks and months of parenthood.

She said they were extremely grateful to all those organisations behind the awards and added that 'it will make a huge difference to the lives of Plymouth and West Devon parents'.

The NCT is the UK's leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Each year it supports thousands of parents through a life-changing experience, offering expert information and trusted practical and emotional support.

For more information call NCT enquiries on 0330 330 0770 or visit http://www.nct.org.uk">www.nct.org.uk