CHILDREN'S services in Stockton will receive a £19.6m boost, the Government has revealed.

Stockton Borough Council will get the cash during the next three years for early years and child care.

The figure includes £6.7m for more children's centres.

Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, yesterday welcomed the announcement during a visit to the Thornaby High Flyers Sure Start Centre, in Tedder Avenue, Thornaby.

Mrs Taylor said: "I am of the belief that a child's early years are crucial to their development and future prospects.

"That is why I am delighted that the Government is investing in improving early years services and introducing more Sure Start children's centres, to give every child the best start in life.

"This visit has once again let me see at first hand the huge difference the Sure Start centres in Stockton and Thornaby have made to the lives of so many families in the area."

Mrs Taylor praised the dedication of staff and volunteers at the centres, which provide child care, early years education, health services and support to parents.

She said she was keen to hear from parents about what the Government could do to improve children's services further.

She added: "Over 4,000 children have already benefited from Sure Start in Stockton and Thornaby, and this extra investment will ensure that number increases.

"We now need to make even more progress, so that we have a children's centre in every community by 2010 and extra outreach workers to reach the most disadvantaged children.

"With this extra funding, we will be able to make that happen."

Ann Baxter, Stockton Council's corporate director for children, education and social care, said: "It will enable us to roll out the Sure Start children's centres to all areas of the borough by 2010 and ensure that children have the best possible start in life.

"Also included is funding to support the development of Stockton's child care market, to ensure that child care is available to local families when and where it is needed.

"This announcement will help us to make sure that no child is left behind."