CHILDREN'S Minister Margaret Hodge officially opened a £430,000 Sure Start centre yesterday.

It had been feared the building, in South Avenue, Dormanstown, previously home to an NHS clinic until 2001, would become derelict and a target for vandals.

But now the building is home to a 40-place neighbourhood nursery, a parents' meeting and training room, consulting rooms and a children's room.

Sure Start programme manager Fran White, the former community nursing services manager at the clinic, had feared the focal point would be demolished.

But now, with 15 full-time staff, she is thrilled at presiding over the facility.

"When I left the clinic, everyone was devastated to be losing such an important facility," she said. "But now Sure Start has revitalised the area and it's so needed."

Sure Start is a national scheme designed to give under-fives the best start in life by improving access to education, play and health care.

Parents have played their part in choosing the facilities and one father, Gary Beel, a member of the centre's Parents' Network, joined Ms White in guiding the Minister round the centre.

His four-year-old daughter, Saffron, presented the Minister with a bouquet after she cut a ceremonial ribbon, allowing eager local youngsters to run into the centre's four gardens.

Ms Hodge said: "Every child deserves the best start in life and the opportunity to achieve their potential.

"Dormanstown's new Sure Start centre will provide local families with access to joined-up early years services to support young children's development and help parents balance their work and family life. I'm delighted to open this building which will benefit children and families both now and for years to come."

Mr Beel said: "It's brilliant that the Minister came to Dormanstown. She could see for herself the benefits to the community and spoke to parents who are actively using the centre."