OXFORDSHIRE mother Linda Mace who had a daughter with Down's Syndrome has praised the BBC for raising awareness of the condition in the hit soap opera EastEnders.

Her other daughter is 11-year-old singing sensation Zoe Mace whose album Songs for My Sister was released to raise money for the Down's Syndrome Association.

Mrs Mace said the storyline involving characters Billy Mitchell and his wife Honey, who struggle to cope after their baby daughter is born with Down's, would help educate viewers and break down stereotypes.

The storyline has come under fire from some midwives who claim it is inaccurate, but Mrs Mace thinks the soap could do for Down's what Big Brother winner Pete has done for Tourette Syndrome.

Jodie was born with Down's in 2000. Mrs Mace said: "These subjects are usually covered by documentaries and people see that and think I don't want to watch it."

"Millions watch EastEnders, what a brilliant way to educate the British public.

"They are putting it in everyday life. This happens to people."

She added: "You think about Big Brother. It has done a huge amount for Tourette's Syndrome. Pete, who won the show, was just a wonderful guy."

Mrs Mace, of Freeland, near Witney, said she bonded immediately with Jodie, who died in 2005 because of a serious heart defect.

But she added many mothers felt the same way as Honey in EastEnders and struggle to bond in the early days with their baby.

"I think it is an accurate portrayal. She is trying to come to terms with it and she's putting other people's feelings before her own," she said.

Mrs Mace also urged the BBC to allow baby Janet to grow up in Albert Square.

She added: "There are lots of actors out there with Down's Syndrome who are brilliant and they should be given the opportunity. It would break down barriers."

But Mrs Mace, who is writing a book of her experiences, said the show should have highlighted the help and support given to families after the birth.

Jane Hanson, secretary of parent support charity Down's Syndrome Oxford, also welcomed the storyline.

She added: "A lot of the things shown were quite true. It can never be a bad thing to raise awareness. A lot of people don't think about it so it's good from that point of view."

But Sue Jacob, a teacher at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said the programme contained factual inaccuracies and presented a poor picture of midwifery practice.

A spokesman for the BBC said: "EastEnders has undertaken a great deal of research to script the storyline of Billy and Honey giving birth to their baby daughter.

"EastEnders takes enormous care with its research and takes advice from experts in the given field."