AS Baby Loss Awareness Week starts, MP for Taunton Deane, Rebecca Pow is pledging her support. 

From October 9 until October 15 a week of awareness takes place to inform people about the effects of baby loss. 

It affects thousands of families each year across the UK. The loss of a baby can happen to anyone at any time. 

The week hopes to encourage people to talk openly about the subject and to raise awareness. 

Ms Pow said: “In 2015, 3,014 babies in the UK died before their first birthday and the UK has higher rates of stillbirth and infant mortality than many European countries with Pregnancies in most socially deprived areas are over 50 per cent more likely to end in stillbirth and neonatal death.

"I am proud to support efforts to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss, and ensure families affected receive the best services and support at such a heart breaking time.”

Somerset woman Mel Scott set up the charity Towards Tomorrow Together in 2009, because she felt there was a lack of support for grieving parents.

Following the loss of her son Finley, who died during pregnancy, she wanted to help other parents in similar circumstance and the charity creates a brilliant support network.

She said: "Babyloss is one of the most isolating experiences that can happen to a family.

"It is made worse by the fact that the death of a baby is something that, even today, is not talked about. It is impossible to even consider how many people are affected by the death of a baby until it happens to you.

"Babyloss awareness week is an opportunity to raise awareness. Parents up and down the country are sharing their stories, their memories of their baby.

"It is one week in the year when silence is broken. It is also an opportunity for those parents to come together to participate in the Wave Of Light, where they are invited to light a candle at 7pm in their own time zone, creating a wave of light which travels around the world. It is a beautiful time for reflection and community."

For further information on Baby Loss Awareness Week, visit: www.babyloss-awareness.org.  During the Week, discussion on twitter will use #babyloss.