Breastfeeding in public is being made easier for mums through the launch of a new scheme.

Mums and health care staff attended the official launch of the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme in Sure Start Roehampton Centre, Roehampton Lane, yesterday.

The scheme aims to support breastfeeding mothers when they are in public and to remove hostility.

Breastfeeding in public is protected by the 2010 Equality Act, but many mothers have said they feel discriminated against when they breastfeed in cafés or shops.

The scheme enables participating restaurants, cafés, children's centres and other venues to display a window sticker telling mums they are welcome to breastfeed.

They will also be advertised on the national Breastfeeding Welcome website.

Wandsworth Council's public health team are hoping to help women breastfeed for longer as it helps improve children's health.

Houda Al-Sharifi, the council's director of public health, said: "Wandsworth Council supports breastfeeding because of the immense health benefits it has for mothers and their babies. 

"We know that breastfeeding reduces tummy upsets, lung infections and asthma in babies.

"It also reduces the risk of mothers developing breast cancer.

"Mothers who are in a position to breast feed are strongly encouraged to do it and we are doing everything we can to support them."

About 72 per cent of women in Wandsworth breastfeed, which is above the national average of just under 50 per cent.

Any cafés, restaurants, shops or other public premises who want to sign up can visit breastfeedingwelcomescheme.org.uk/join_scheme.php.