MIDWIVES from across the country were being taught the latest techniques in giving women in labour pain relief when they attended a gathering in Worcester.

The National Symposium for Obstetric Anaesthesia for Midwives was held on Monday at the Charles Hastings Education Centre, Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The event, the third of its kind, was organised by the hospitals' lead obstetric anaesthetist Dr Ratan Alexander.

"It is part of our role to provide continuing education and this enabled midwives to keep up-to-date with modern anaesthetic techniques and pain relief," he said.

"There is no other meeting or educational forum similar to this run on a national basis.

"The doctors involved have given their time for the continual professional development of midwives, and we are promoting better midwifery care through education throughout the country."

More than 100 midwives attended the event, and were given lectures by experts.