THE Bridport and Lyme Regis branch of NCT - formerly the National Childbirth Trust - will be celebrating its 30th anniversary on Saturday 3rd October with a family party at Salway Ash village hall.

The party is open to anyone who has a connection to the branch in anyway - from attending a group or course themselves, to having been a baby whose mother attended the classes back in the 80s or 90s.

Volunteers, NCT members and non-members are invited to join in the fun which will include a range of baby and toddler activities, a raffle and refreshments.

Established in 1985, the branch offers a wide range of support services to families from pregnancy through to toddlerhood.

Over the years hundreds of mums and dads have attended antenatal classes and baby groups which not only have provided vital information and advice in early parenthood, but have also helped people forge long-lasting friendships and local support networks.

Branch co-ordinator, Danielle Lanning, said: "It is amazing how many people have been involved in NCT over the years.

"We have mums attending our groups now, with their young babies, whose own mothers attended our antenatal classes.

"Volunteers have been working hard for years and years to keep our branch going, which isn't always easy, so we are thrilled to have reached this milestone birthday and to have the chance to celebrate with all the people who have been involved over the years."

Anna Foxx-Neal, one of the volunteers organising the party added: "There is no other organisation that provides the level of independent and informed support and advice to families in all matters relating to pregnancy, birth and beyond.

"Our branch has a wonderful history of helping mums and dads tackle the challenges of new parenthood and we are regularly told that the services we offer - whether it is a small informal group or simply our newsletter - act as real lifeline."

Tickets for the party are £2.50 per family and include an afternoon of free activities, from toys and dancing, clowns, balloons, toddler disco and crafts, as well as refreshments and a slice of birthday cake.

There will also be a raffle with some great prizes donated by local companies.

Tickets are available in person at the branch's regular groups or contact the branch on email at branch.bridport@nct.org.uk or visit their facebook page facebook.com/nctbridport.