Linda Jones’ opinion about how twins are portrayed in the media:

Too often reports in newspapers promote stereotypical images of twins or triplets by presenting them as an individual unit or focusing on their "sameness", she said.

"Tamba members are regularly left fuming by a cliché-ridden TV or newspaper story about twins, triplets or more, or infuriated that their point of view is not included in, say, an article on the pros and cons of the different types of childcare when returning to work.

"While the mum of a single baby has the luxury of agonising over whether going back is the right choice for her child, many mums of twins have no say. They have to stay at home as double nursery fees mean it would just not be worth their while.

"Since having Emily and Melissa I have been struck by the lack of coverage in the glossy parenting titles and disappointed at the tone of reports in the mainstream press.

"Portrayals such as these only serve to undermine the efforts of parents to make sure their kids are treated as individuals and not some sort of freak show.

"Experience has shown that twins who grow up as a constant companion to their brother or sister may find it more difficult than other children to make other friends or stand on their own feet as an adult.

"Twins, triplets and more are big news. Hardly a day goes by without a newspaper, magazine, radio or TV programme featuring a multiple births story.

"Sometimes coverage is well-researched, well-written and an accurate portrayal of what it is like to belong to a multiple birth family. Articles may be informative, moving even, and/or inspiring, as in the case of the recent excellent coverage of time-lapse twins Chloe and Edward Beveridge.

"But often it is not. That is why Tamba is launching its Multiples in the Media Awards scheme."

About the Tamba awards:

The initiative aims to recognise, reward and encourage responsible and informative reporting of multiple birth issues and recognise, ‘name and shame’ and discourage lazy journalism.

Categories are likely to include: best coverage (regional or national), best coverage (magazine) and best coverage (broadcast media) as well as worst coverage (national or regional ), worst coverage (magazine) and worst coverage (broadcast media).

There will also be a special award at the judges’ discretion – if there has been a ‘major’ news story – which paper handled it in the most sensitive/responsible way (for example conjoined twins or sextuplets).

The awards are set to be awarded at a gala dinner by a celebrity later this year. Nominations should be sent no later than 2 October, 2000.

For more information contact Tamba at Harnott House, 309 Chester Road, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, CH66 1QQ. Tel : 0870 121 4000 or 0151 348 0020. www.tamba.org.uk