MUMS staged a group breast feed in a town centre to call for greater support for parents who want to feed in public.

A group of friends from Blackburn, Darwen and Burnley made the public display to back a law that would allow businesses to be fined for stopping mums from breast feeding on their premises.

The law -- which can lead to a £2,500 penalty -- is already in force in Scotland and a bill has been introduced in Parliament to extend it into England.

Darwen resident Michelle Atkin organised the protest, in Ainsworth Street, Blackburn.

The Mall shopping centre in Blackburn does not ask breast feeding mothers to move but advises them that there are dedicated breast feeding facilities in the complex.

Michelle said: "I think if we have a law like this in England it would give mums more confidence to breast feed in public and feel protected. There is nothing worse than feeding and somebody saying 'what are you doing? That's disgusting'."

She added: "People associate breasts with sexuality rather than what they are really there for. Some people don't have a problem with top shelf magazines and Page Three girls but they do when they see you breast feeding."

Mrs Atkin, of Newton Street, said: "We need to increase breast feeding, partly because of the health benefit. We need to support a breast feeding culture." The law was adopted in Scotland this March and makes it an offence to interfere or discriminate against a mother who is breast feeding in a public place which allows bottle feeding.

Labour MP David Kidney last month introduced a bill in Parliament to give mothers in England the same protection.

He said breast feeding led to fewer infections in babies, improved cognitive development, reduced the risk of bone disease osteoporosis and offered protection against insulin dependent diabetes.

The mums were filmed by a Channel 4 camera crew for a documentary to be screened in the New Year.

Pubs would also be covered by the new law. Burnley Licensed Victuallers Association treasurer Joe Atkinson, said: "It is a bit prejudiced if a woman can't breast feed in a pub. I think most pubs would allow them to, though I would think mums would have to be discreet."

The demonstration was organised by Little Angels, a not for profit group set up to increase breast feeding rates in East Lancashire.