One in 20 expectant mums in Waltham Forest continue to smoke through their pregnancy, a new study has found.

Research shows 5.5 per cent of mums-to-be in Waltham Forest keep smoking while pregnant, the tenth-worst figure of all London boroughs.

The number was however more than half the national average, with one in eight pregnant UK women smoking at their first appointment with a midwife.

Amanda Sandford from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said: “Smoking during pregnancy reduces foetal growth and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and cot deaths.

“Although there has been significant progress in reducing the rates of smoking during pregnancy it’s vital that work continues to ensure that pregnant women who smoke are offered support to quit.”

Across east London, figures on expectant mums who smoke varied wildly.

Official stats, compiled by vapourlites.com from NHS figures, found Barking and Dagenham was the worst borough in London for smoking mums, with 8.6 per cent still lighting up during pregnancy.

In Newham, the figure stood at 5.2 per cent, while in Redbridge had the lowest rate of pregnant smokers in the area at just 3 per cent.