A £1m centre dedicated to giving young children the best start in life will be launched this month.

Staff are this week moving into the new Sure Start Centre in Clifford Road, Stanley.

Sure Start is a Government-funded scheme for pre-school children and their families.

The Stanley project is a multi-agency partnership, led by Durham County Council.

Since it opened from temporary offices in Joicey Gardens in 2001, the Stanley scheme has launched aqua-natal classes, toddler groups, dads and kids groups, and trips away.

It also offers a home safety loan scheme, baby massage and a healthy eating initiative.

Malcolm Pitt, Sure Start Stanley programme manager, said: "We are delighted to have eventually moved to the new Sure Start Stanley Centre.

"Since the launch of the programme, in January 2001, we have made huge progress and the Sure Start Stanley partnership has delivered a number of new services.

"Sure Start Stanley will continue to work with parents-to-be, parents and children to provide a full range of services for pre-school children and their families so that they can receive the best possible start in life."

Cash for the project came from Sure Start, the New Opportunities Fund Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative, and European Regional Development Fund. The land for the building was gifted by Derwentside District Council.

The Clifford Road centre will serve 21,500 residents in the Stanley area and includes a privately-run day care nursery for up to 26 children.

There will be rooms dedicated to baby feeding and health, plus a computer training suite, toy library and creche.

There will also be a privately-run day care nursery which will be run by Karen Veitch. Emerald Nursery will be open from 8am until 6pm, and will accommodate nine youngsters aged under two and 17 two to five-year-olds.

The new centre will offer a full range of services to the public by Monday.

The opening times will be from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 6.30pm, on Friday.

The official opening session will be on Saturday, June 26, from 11am to 2pm.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones will perform the ribbon-cutting and there will be a balloon launch, plus activities and entertainment.

For further details, contact (01207) 232048.