THE £177,000 Sure Start Caedmon Centre, in Grangetown, was blessed by the Bishop of Whitby, the Right Reverend Robert Ladds.

There was a ballet performance by the Little Movers, a group of 15 girls aged three to four, after the centre's launch by Redcar MP Vera Baird.

Artist Sue Woolhouse has produced two stained glass windows with images of Caedmon, famed as England's first poet, for the building, which links to Caedmon Primary School's foundation class.

Sure Start Grangetown and South Bank manager Catherine Pickering said: "We're looking forward to developing the already strong partnership between the school and the programme, which will allow us to provide an unprecedented standard for the area's children and families."

Headteacher Philip McElwee said: "We are a new school with high expectations, and the opportunity to work with Sure Start has provided additional incentive to put together a package of services second to none to serve the community."

The centre has a ten-place creche, a buggy park, counselling and meeting rooms, and an outdoor soft play area.