Recently we told you about harrowing scenes coming up in Emmerdale, where Laurel and Ashly lose their young baby to cot death.

In todays Sun newspaper, Charlotte Bellamy, the actress who plays Laurel has talked about the filming of the challenging scenes.

Charlotte, who has two sons — Sunnie, three and a half, and Herbie, ten months — said: “It was a difficult role. After filming those scenes I went home and gave my children a very big hug.

“I’m sure cot death is something every mum thinks about. Though you don’t want to admit it, it is lurking at the back of your mind.

“I’m always saying: ‘Oh, I’ll just check on Herbie . . . ’ To find that your baby has stopped breathing is every mother’s worst nightmare.”

In order to ensure that they were portraying things honestly, Emmerdale bosses have been working closely with FSID, The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

Charlotte said: “The way Emmerdale have tackled this is very honest.

“Cot death is brutal. There is no preparation for losing your baby and I think that is what is portrayed. We wanted it to be very truthful.”

“Normally when someone dies in their home they are taken out in a body bag — but a baby is carried by the mum.

“Because the baby is still such a part of the mother, her instinct is to protect it.

“To put it in a body bag would be too sudden. That is why Laurel carries Daniel.”

FSID bosses were invited to see the episode last week and Charlotte was relieved when they approved the scenes. She says: “That means a lot to me. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by cot death.

“I hope we can raise awareness of this issue and hopefully help with research.”