maternity leave and accrued annual leave

[babybean19]

Hi all,

I live in the UK and this is my first time of having maternity leave.
I have found out i will be only having SMP as my company do not offer a maternity pay package.
I'm looking to have the full 52 week entitlement off, and was wondering if i'm allowed to attach my accrued? so that would be in total 56 weeks? I know a girl here previously done it, but she only took 9 months off.

any help would be much appreciated :)

I've been told I can do this, and plan to. This isn't from official advisor or anything though

Yes 52 weeks ml plus 28 days holiday.