A CHILDCARE centre which had been threatened with closure re-opened yesterday.

After running for two years, the Children's Centre at Dalton Park retail outlet, in Murton, looked set to shut down amid a funding crisis.

But thanks to a tireless campaign by local parents, the vital facility has been saved, and came back to life yesterday under the new title Kids Biz.

The idea behind Kids Biz is to provide quality children's care for parents and guardians who want to return to work, or for those who want a few hours shopping alone.

Kids Biz - the only facility of its kind in the Murton area - is Ofsted-registered and members of staff are trained to the highest standards of childcare.

Kate Welch, chief executive of the Acumen Trust, which has helped get the centre back on track, said: "Lack of childcare is a barrier to people when they want to return to the workforce, especially in this area.

"We wanted to keep the centre open so that local people have the opportunity to move into work with the back up of quality childcare giving them peace of mind.''

Centre manager Fiona Waddell said she was delighted that the centre, which has places for children aged between three months and 11 years, had been saved.

She said: "We are a 50-place registered facility and provide full daycare, out-of-school hours and school-holiday provision, and we have the staff and facilities for children who need additional support."