CHILDHOOD lullabies are helping North-East mother-to-be bond with their "bumps".

By combining group lullaby singing, movement, breathing exercises and yoga, Musical Bumps aims to help pregnant women develop a strong bond with their child before birth, at the same time as enjoying a gentle workout.

Run by The Sage Gateshead and supported by SureStart Felling, Gateshead Council and Gateshead Health NHS Trust, it is part of Voices of the River's Edge initiative - a music and arts project in east Gateshead.

"Hearing is one of the first senses unborn babies develop," said Claire Johnson, voice tutor at The Sage Gateshead and an expectant mother.

"They can feel vibrations and hear melodies from very early on, so singing to them is a great way of communicating. It helps their development, strengthens maternal bonds, and soothes and relaxes mother and baby.

"After all, lullabies have been sung to children for hundreds of years."

The sessions take place every Thursday at Felling Methodist Church and are run through SureStart Felling by Lynn Campbell, freelance active birth specialist and dance tutor, SureStart Felling midwife Chris Spence, and Mrs Johnson.

Judy McCartney, an accountant from Wardley, Gateshead, is 32 weeks pregnant. She said: "The breathing and postural exercises have shown me how I can ease pelvic pain, which is what you need during labour. Besides being informative, it's been great fun meeting up with other pregnant women and singing our hearts out."