Mums-to-be showed off their bumps for a photo shoot this week.

It followed an appeal in the Kentish Express last week by midwife Virginia Howes who runs the Kent Midwifery practice with partner Kay Hardie for pregnant models.

They were needed to promote new Aqua Natal classes for pregnant women. They will be running at the Ashford International Hotel swimming pool from March 11.

Virginia Howes said: “There is a growing obesity problem in the UK. If women are fit, healthy and do not put on too much weight when they are pregnant they are more likely to have a better birth experience and the baby will be healthier.”