A CHILDREN'S centre has been opened in Darlington to give youngsters the best start to life.

The £630,000 SureStart facility for under-fours, in the grounds of Mount Pleasant Primary School on the Branksome estate, is offering services including midwifery and health visitors, early years workers, infant and baby massage, breastfeeding and peer group support and advice on stopping smoking.

It has a large activity area suitable for young children, offices, meeting rooms and space for training courses, including first aid and parenting classes. It can also cater for IT classes for adults.