A DROP-IN service for breastfeeding mums is hosting a party to help fund the weekly session.

As previously reported in The Gazette, five breastfeeding drop-in centres in the borough were forced to close after Hampshire County Council failed to find the funds to keep them running.

National charity the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) agreed to fundraise to keep one Basingstoke centre open, at Brookvale Village Hall, and the service is now available through Babies and Breastfeeding Information, Encouragement and Support (BABIES) on Friday mornings from 10am to 11.30am, with a professionally trained breastfeeding counsellor.

NCT needs to raise funds to keep the drop-in session running, and has organised a 1950s themed Diamond Jubilee Party this Saturday at Rooksdown Community Centre from 12noon to 3pm, which will also celebrate 60 years since the charity was founded.

All new parents are welcome to attend with their babies and toddlers and expectant parents are also invited, offering the chance for NCT members to get together and socialise.

NCT Basingstoke encourages parents-to-be and new mums and dads in the area to meet and support each other.

The branch's volunteers also provide practical and emotional support, running nearly new sales, coffee groups, baby massage classes and other activities.

One of the branch's most notable achievements has been keeping the BABIES breastfeeding drop-in open through independent fundraising.

Kimberly Powers, co-chair of NCT Basingstoke, said: "NCT was created in 1956 with the aim that all new and expectant parents should feel supported, informed and confident and this remains at the heart of what we do today.

"We hope that different generations of local parents will get together at our tea party, swap stories and make friends. It's also a chance for our branch and volunteers to celebrate our achievements and history as we look forward to expand our reach and even more parents in the future."

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for children aged two to 16-years, and include a professionally catered afternoon tea, live band, face painting, party games, crafts and more.

A raffle will also help raise funds with prizes including baby sensory classes, wine tasting for six, Wellington Country Park day tickets and NCT mother and baby yoga classes.

To buy tickets visit facebook.com/BasingstokeNCT/ or email events@basingstokenct.org.uk.