New health guidance for pregnant women is advising pregnant women to avoid drinking alcohol.

The advice, which was issued for the whole of the UK recommends :

* Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol;

* If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.

Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride said: "In Northern Ireland our advice to pregnant women has always been that alcohol can damage an unborn baby, so should be avoided or at least cut down to a couple of drinks a week.

"This advice which has been issued across the UK gives a clear message to help ensure that no-one underestimates the risk to the developing foetus of drinking above the recommended safe levels.

"Couples who are trying to conceive should also be aware that drinking alcohol can reduce their fertility and ability to conceive," he explained.

"It is vital we alert pregnant women and women hoping to conceive about the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Many women already chose not to drink during pregnancy. Our clear advice is to avoid alcohol but if you do chose to drink, ensure that the risk to your baby's health is reduced by not drinking more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week."