A music programme for babies is much more than child's play – and it's on its way to west Dorset.

Babigloo Music for Babies, which provides infants aged 0-12 months with an opportunity to experience music, movement and dance is said to be achieving 'amazing results'.

The programme is aimed at supporting families who may be experiencing anxiety, post-natal depression or other difficulties.

Run in partnership with Dorchester-based The Arts Development Company, it has been awarded funding from the Borough of Poole Culture Fund and a one-year grant from National Youth Music grant.

The funding is helping to support an eight-week workshop programme in six children’s centres. Up to 60 babies and their parents will be involved.

Centres in the Poole/Bournemouth area are the first to host the workshops, but the programme will move west next year when it comes to Dorset County Children's Centres.

Founder Jenny Gordon said: "We use a non-verbal, music-led approach based on the Early Years theories of American Professor of Music Edwin Gordon. The only language is music and vocal sounds. Babies can tune out voices but classical music and structured vocal rhythms stimulate all areas of a baby’s brain.

"We are thrilled that Youth Music feel that supporting us is a good investment in the 0-12 months area of Early Years, which often gets overlooked."

Hannah Baker from the Arts Development Company added: "The programme will enable Babigloo to grow and develop, allowing their wonderful work to benefit more families. Seeing the reaction of the babies and parents involved is incredible and testament to the Babigloo team and power of music."

Those running the baby music sessions use an Inuit theme. Fishing, cold winds blowing and the Northern Lights are just some of the atmospheres that are created for babies to respond to.

Babigloo is planning a final ‘celebration concert’ for each programme including musicians playing classical and folk music live with the babies. Eventually, the group plans to seek funding for 45-minute concerts that the babies’ parents, older siblings and even grandparents can attend.