AN event to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife is set to be held next week.

Midwives at Colchester General Hospital will run the session between 8am and 12pm on Wednesday and visitors will have the chance to talk the them about their work.

Midwife Teri Gavin-Jones, who is helping to organise the event - which is aimed at pregnant couples or those thinking of starting a family - said: "Since International Day of the Midwife was launched 14 years ago, May 5 has been the recognised day for highlighting the work of midwives.

"We’re celebrating it two days early this year because we’ve got more space available on that day and are looking forward to showing how midwives work hard to ensure mothers and their families receive the quality care they deserve.

"It will be a relaxed and informal morning, and we hope to see as many people as possible – everyone is welcome."

Visitors will have the chance to tour the Juno suite, which opened in 2009 and which benefited from a £1.2 million maternity unit upgrade two years ago.

The midwives will also be available to talk about hypnobirthing, home births, infant feeding, water births, the Baby Box initiative and the imminent refurbishment of Lexden Ward - the postnatal ward at Colchester General Hospital.

Cakes made by midwives will be on sale, with the proceeds being donated to a Royal College of Midwives’ charitable fund.

For more information on the event, contact Teri Gavin-Jones on 01206 742424 or email teri.gavin-jones@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk.