Landmark buildings in Ipswich and Colchester are being lit up this week as part of a national awareness event.

Ipswich Town Hall and Colchester Castle are being turned pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from October 9-15.

Dozens of charities and organisations are supporting the event, which also includes an event in Parliament.

At the end of the week Ipswich Hospital is holding a remembrance service on Sunday, October 15, from 3pm at the hospital’s chapel, open to all those who have lost a baby.

A service is also being held by Colchester Hospital’s trust at The Ark, Highwoods Methodist Church in Jack Andrews Drive, Colchester, tonight from 7pm. At 5pm there will also be a lighting up of the maternity garden at 5pm.

Nationally the week culminates in a Wave of Light at 7pm on Sunday, with candles lit across the world.

The theme of this year’s awareness week sees the groups involved calling for an end to a postcode lottery of care for bereaved parents.

Dr Clea Harmer, chief executive of Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity), said: “It is long overdue that the NHS makes the provision of excellent bereavement care mandatory across the UK.

“Despite claims it is a priority, there is still a shortage of dedicated bereavement rooms and too few health care professionals are getting the essential training they need to sensitively support grieving parents.

“Good bereavement care is rooted in simple acts of kindness and respect, giving a family whose world has fallen apart the time they need with their baby, and minimising anything that could add to their suffering.”