FOR a new mother, walking into Great Lever's Surestart centre must be heaven.

All the facilities you could wish for, fellow mums, access to education and even discount massages for you and your baby.

But best of all, the centre, along with Bolton's three other Surestart centres, has excellent midwives.

The midwives work specifically in the Surestart centres, which are based in the less affluent areas of Bolton.

The idea of community-based midwives is still new nationally and has proved a great success in Bolton.

More mothers are breastfeeding and giving up smoking - and bi-lingual classes within the Surestart centres help to get the messages across.

Surestart Midwife Diane Tinker said: "We can provide additional care above and beyond the care a mother would normally receive. We are carrying out innovative practices when dealing with women and everything we have done, we've started from scratch. All expectant mums in Great Lever are visited by myself and, from there, we discuss what support they might need.

"We can provide ante-natal education at home, rather than at the hospital where some mums might not go and bring in support services for anyone with a history of depression.

"All Surestart midwives are trained in smoking cessation and we try to stop women smoking during pregnancy and stop smoking in the home for when baby comes home.

"I also try to make one visit where all I discuss is breastfeeding with mums, to encourage them to give it a go."

One of the new schemes that is just getting off the ground at the centre is extra support for mothers who are breastfeeding.

Wendy Handley, aged 37, from Dunbar Drive, is one of the centre's new breast buddies; a volunteer who is on hand 24 hours a day for other mums who have concerns about breastfeeding.

She said: "I've been coming here since it first started and wanted to help out with breastfeeding in particular because, when you get home, that support often dwindles and you need a little bit extra.

"I have breastfed both my children so have the experience to give advice and support. Mums can ring me for that reassurance they might need."

Kanta Patel, aged 33, from Duncan Road, visits the centre with her five-month-old daughter Aniya.

She said: "The midwives have helped me quite a bit before and after having my daughter. Diane visited me at home before the birth and we talked about things such as the benefits of breastfeeding. She has been a great help to me."

Hayley Fielding, aged 20, from Freshfield Avenue, attends with her son Warren, aged five months. She said: "Diane came out to my home and really helped me. I have breastfed ever since speaking to her about the benefits. All my friends were bottle-feeding so I'd never really considered it before but I've been breastfeeding for five months now.

"The centre means I meet new friends and get a little break from Warren now and again."

Diane was joined by colleague Diane Swindlehurst at the House of Commons to accept their award. They met Bolton MPs David Crausby and Brian Iddon and were given a tour of Parliament.

Mr Crausby said: "The NHS often receives negative press reports and it is fitting that the people delivering vital services in the community are recognised and acknowledged in this positive way. I witnessed the presentation to congratulate and applaud the excellent work being carried out by the midwives in Bolton."