A service for parents who have lost a child through stillbirth or miscarriage is to be held at St Thomas’ Church in Douglas after Christmas.

Midwives at Noble’s Hospital organise the STAR (Still Treasured, Always Remembered) service each year to support bereaved families.

This year’s service will take place on December 28 at 2pm, and will include music, poems, readings and reflection.

The service will be open for any member of the public to attend. The ’Forget Me Not’ and ’A Little Piece of Hope’ bereavement charities will also be there.

Manx Care’s lead midwife for bereavement, Dianne Rubery, said: ’It’s important that we continue to show support and solidarity to parents and family members of babies who are born sleeping.

’In recent times particularly, when people may be feeling more isolated, it’s vital that anyone who’s experienced the loss of a baby is able to talk about the struggles they may be experiencing.’