EXTRA help is being given to parents to help halt the alarming number of infants who die before their first birthday in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Around 7.1 babies per 1,000 die within 12 months of their birth in Pendle, one of the worst infant mortality rates in England.

And with the level at around 5.5 in Burnley and 6.4 in Rossendale, the position is significantly worse than the national average of 4.8.

Burnley Council and NHS East Lancashire are uniting to offer ‘Baby Safe’ sessions to guard against sudden unexpected child deaths.

Coun Jeff Sumner, community engagement cabinet member, said: “This is a really important and emotive issue. Working together we are in a much stronger position to combat the problem.

“The contributing factors to infant mortality rates need addressing at many different social levels.”

Every town hall employee will also be offered training by the community health services unit.

Other agencies including Lancashire Police, Women’s Refuge, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and county children’s centres.

NHS East Lancashire has been undertaking similar work as part of its SMYL - Save A Million Years of Life - campaign.

Linda Searle, the council’s health and wellbeing manager, added: “People need to know what is and isn’t dangerous when caring for their child as there are a lot of myths on how best to look after your baby that need dispelling.

“Being aware of the 10 quick tips will help parents to give their baby the best of care.”

The tips can be accessed online at www.eastlancspct.nhss.uk and include advice such as not falling asleep alongside babies, ensuring infants sleep in their own cots, checking the child’s temperature and immunising youngsters.

The sessions begin on September 29 at the CVS centre in Yorkshire Street, Burnley, with further dates at St Peter’s Centre and the Linkbridge Centre over the next five months.