A group of mums and babies from Bradford have become national calendar stars - to tell the country that breastfeeding is best.

They are pictured at feeding time on a Department of Health calendar produced for National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which runs until Saturday.

Elise Barraclough, Cheryl Kaye, Fatima Ayub, Shelley McDermot and Ruth Weston are shown on the special edition 2003/4 calendar accompanied by their partners, family, friends and health professionals to show the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers.

And today the mums talked of the benefits of breastfeeding their children and the fun of being celebrities to promote the cause.

Ruth Weston, 35, of Allerton, said her eight-month baby, Stan, was happy, healthy and lively because she had fed him from birth. "It's good for the baby and so good for me. I want to encourage people to do it. It's something really special.

"The photographs were done at my home when it was chaos with the other children coming home in their uniforms and their dad arriving back."

Fatima Ayub, 31, of Thornbury, who is feeding her eight-month-old baby, Haroon Bostan, said: "It's the best thing you could ever give your child in life. There is a very special bond and the baby is healthy. You don't have to be rushing off to the doctor with colds and worries."

Shelley McDermot, 22, of Wibsey, said she was delighted to give the message with her four-and-a-half-month-old daughter, Sydney, that breastfeeding was best. "It's nice for women who are thinking about it to see us doing it," she said.

Single parent Elise Barraclough, 17, said: "Only my nan wasn't happy about my breastfeeding at first. Because I'm young I guess she didn't like the idea of me getting my boobs out in public and of people laughing or disapproving.

"But I'm quite strong and I don't care what people think. Now my nan sees how discreet I can be, she's fine about it."

Elise, who has a son, McKenzie, said: "I couldn't have done it without my mum. I probably wouldn't even have thought of it if I hadn't seen her breastfeed my sister, Evie.

"Mum didn't try and twist my arm. She just told me breastfeeding was a lot healthier for the baby and that I'd lose weight quicker."

Janette Westman, infant feeding advisor based in the maternity unit at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "During breastfeeding week we want to send the message to all mothers that breastfeeding is definitely the best choice for them and their babies.

"It is important that new mums are helped and supported as they breastfeed their babies."