A SCHEME that aims to give youngsters the best start in life is celebrating after it won £540,000 of European funding.
Sure Start in the Deckham area of Gateshead successfully bid for European Regional Development money.
It will use the money to build premises at the Elgin Centre, which will open in September next year.
Councillor Brian Coates said: "This is tremendous news. This funding, alongside the £1m capital funding from Sure Start, will provide first-class services and facilities for our nought to five-year-olds both now and into the future.
"It was always the vision of those involved in the initiative that a partnership with the Elgin Centre which includes the Route 26 Community facility, Gateshead College, the borough council's sport and leisure department and Sure Start would bring massive benefits.
"Therefore, the Sure Start building will be joined on to the Elgin Centre to provide a larger reception area and larger kitchen and dining area."
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