MUMS and babies converged on Parliament Street in York to support a Staffordshire woman abused for breastfeeding her baby in public.

Dozens of women breastfed their babies on the York street rom 1pm on Saturday, in a “nurse in” protest organised by mums Kendal Mosley-Chalk and Anne Dawson.

The two friends decided to stage the protest after they heard about Staffordshire woman Emily Slough, who was photographed feeding her baby in the street, and labelled a “tramp” when the picture was posted anonymously on Facebook.

Mum-of-two Kendal, 30, said:“We wanted to organise something in support. It’s so shocking in this day and age a woman would be shamed for feeding her child in a very natural way.”

York’s breastfeeding support group Treasure Chest has also thrown its support behind the movement.

The group’s chair Katherine Odom said: “Many mums can feel that breastfeeding their child in public is a barrier for them and we hope this lone incident doesn’t put mums or prospective mums off breastfeeding when there are so many benefits for both mum and baby.

“Breastfeeding in public without harassment is a right every woman should have - in fact it is protected by law in the Equality Act of 2010 - and we can give practical tips and friendly support to help mums overcome any reservations they may have.”