A premature baby born at Watford General Hospital weighing just 2lb is the inspiration behind the Teddy Bears' Picnic iniative sweeping the country this month.

Mother-of-two Amanda Phillips, 34, of Hatfield Road, St Albans, gave birth to daughter Bethan in 2001 two months prematurely because she had developed pre-eclampsia.

This is an extremely dangerous condition for both mother and baby, in which the placenta stops working in the way that it should, and necessitates an immediate delivery.

Despite being born at a tiny 2lbs, Bethan grew to be strong and healthy because of the work and research of charities like Tommy's.

To thank all of the staff who helped her and Bethan through the situation, Amanda decided to help raise money for the charity through childrens Teddy Bears' Picnics.

She said: "It was a very traumatic experience but, because of developments in research, Bethan was given drugs that were able to stabilise her. She was very lucky, she's perfect now. I wanted to do something to thank the people who helped.

"I started it off at my daughter's nursery but then I thought, this could be so much bigger."

The national annual Teddy Bears' Picnic, which officially took place on Friday, raised £2,000 in its first year in 2002, but is expected to raise £40,000 this year.

Tommy's exists to fund research into, and provide information on, the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth, as currently one in four women lose a baby during pregnancy or birth.

Amanda, who also has a young son, Ben, plans to expand the annual event even further by introducing the idea to reception and infant school children.

Over 250 nurseries are holding a picnic this September, including some in St Albans and Harpenden. To hold your own, telephone Samina Sheikh at Tommy's on 020 7398 3430 or email fundraising@tommys.org.