A charity is stepping up its campaign to reduce the number of potentially life threatening infections babies can get at birth.

Group B Strep Support is backing a petition in the House of Commons calling for an investigation into ways to stop babies developing Group B streptococcus (GBS).

The condition can be prevented if women whose babies are at high risk are given antibiotic injections during labour.

Almost 100 MPs, including Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames, have signed the motion tabled by Witney MP David Cameron.

About 3,500 mothers in the UK in the last five years have seen their baby develop life-threatening GBS infections, including septicemia, pneumonia and meningitis.

Approximately 500 of these babies have died and a further 200 suffered serious medical consequences, including brain damage.

The charity is campaigning for reliable screening to be freely available and is raising awareness of GBS among health professionals and pregnant women.

Women are routinely screened for GBS in some EU countries and in the US but the test is only available privately in the UK.

Charity chairwoman Jane Plumb, from Haywards Heath, set up the support group with her husband Robert after their son Theo died from the condition.

She said: "Most of these infections could be prevented but it still seems highly unlikely that screening will be available on the NHS in the near future.

"Routine reliable tests to check for this infection are not available on the NHS and this is unacceptable."

Mr Soames said: "We need to get the Department of Health to take group B strep seriously."

For more details about the charity, call 01444 416176 or write to: Group B Strep Support, PO Box 203, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1GF3.