TWO centres which will give young people a better start in life were opened yesterday.
Houghton and Washington East MP Fraser Kemp performed the honours for Sure Start Monument programme's centres at St Aidan's Parish Centre, New Herrington, and Westbourne Terrace, Shiney Row.
Another two centres are due to open in 2005, in Penshaw and Fencehouses, as part of the programme.
Between them, the four centres will provide communities with a range of facilities and services, such as support for parent and toddler groups, a toy library, a baby clinic, family and community groups and training opportunities.
Mr Kemp also launched Sure Start's first community bus, which will enable parents and children to gain easier access to the services.
A Government-funded programme, which will bring £3.2m investment to Penshaw, Shiney Row, New Herrington and Fencehouses during the next decade, Sure Start works with parents-to-be, parents, carers and young children. Programmes are set up to provide services and support for families with children under four.
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