A CAMPAIGN to reduce child abuse in Kent is to be launched on Thursday. The Kent Child Protection Committee initiative sends out a clear message - it is not OK to shake babies: it can kill or cause brain damage.

As part of the campaign, specially-designed posters and leaflets have been produced alerting the public to the help that is available from social services, health professionals and the police when there is concern that a child may be at risk from abuse or neglect.

These will be displayed in hospitals, GP surgeries, child health clinics, libraries, schools, police stations and social services centres throughout Kent. Posters will also be put up on buses travelling through the county's main towns and villages.

The campaign was to be launched at Maidstone Hospital by the committee's chairman Peter Gilroy and Dr Charles Unter, medical director and consultant paediatrican for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

Speaking before the launch, Mr Gilroy said: "Even the most loving parents may be frustrated, angry or depressed when a baby will noit feed properly or when it cries and won't be comforted and may feel driven to shaking their baby. They may think it will not harm them but this is wrong.

"Each year, hospitals throughout the country have to deal with injuries cased to babies by shaking. These are usually very serious and can result in permanent physical or mental disability. It can often result in the child's death."