WELSH language leaflets have been launched to raise awareness about a lifethreatening illness in babies after a local mum's campaign.

Lydia Lloyd, of Llangennech, became involved with the Group B Strep Support charity when her son, Carwyn, almost died of the illness as a newborn.

The mum of two said: "I am hoping to keep the information out there, raising awareness.

"I want to get the leaflets in local hospitals and in surgeries.

"I am very excited — it is a big launch."

Group B streptococcus (GBS), which develops as a result of bacteria carried by mothers and passed onto babies, is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborn babies.

It infects around 700 babies each year, and proves fatal in around 75 of them.

Local MP Nia Griffith said: "I was so impressed by the sheer hard work that Lydia had put in.

"This made me determined to do whatever was necessary to help her with her very worthwhile campaign to raise awareness about Group B Strep among women in Wales."

Ms Griffith arranged meetings for Lydia with the local health board and the NHS trust and she also managed to get funding for leaflets and posters translated and printed in Welsh.

She said: "This means we can now get information distributed to local surgeries and clinics, so at least women in Wales will know what tests are available."

Nia Griffith MP now hopes to lobby AM Edwina Hart, the Assembly Health Minister, to try to secure NHS funding for Group B Strep screening for pregnant women in Wales.

For leaflets and posters visit www.gbss.org.uk or call 01444 416176.