MOTHERS working for Hyndburn Council will be able to take up to a year off for maternity leave, after councillors voted to adopt new policy.

The Working Parent Policy will allow up to 13 weeks unpaid parental leave for eligible parents, increased maternity leave of up to 26 weeks paid leave and a further 26 weeks unpaid leave. It also gives fathers two weeks paternity leave, and increased leave for people adopting a child.

The Council already has policies in place which offer flexible working patterns for its employees, but the new policy was formulated in response to changes in legislation introduced in April.