YOUNGSTERS and their parents enjoyed a day of partying with magicians and face painting at the launch of a new Sure Start Scheme.

Children from both Shildon and Newton Aycliffe were entertained by party games at Shildon's Civic Centre, as Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster officially launched the new scheme for the two towns.

The launch comes after a lot of hard work by parents in both towns who have been eager to secure more funding and activities for parents and children.

The Government-funded programme includes a partnership between local parents, community organisations, both town councils, Sedgefield Borough Council, Durham County Council's Social Services Department and Local Education Authority as well as Durham Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

Nigel Porter, chief executive of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust and chairman of the Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West Partnership, told parents and dignitaries at the launch that these were exciting times for the towns.

He said: "This launch will mark the start of an exciting ten year period in which the Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West Sure Start partnership will work with parents to be, parents and children to provide a full range of services for under fours and their families so that babies and young children will have the best possible start in life.''

The scheme has been granted £1m, which will be spent over the next ten years.

Mr Porter said: "One of the first things will be to either find or build suitable accommodation to use as a base. This is something that the parents have wanted for a long time and we are delighted.''

The new Sure Start partnership aims to improve services to all families with children under four in the local area, including childcare, education, social health and family services.

It has already delivered a number of new services including music and dance sessions for families, parent and toddler play sessions, trips away, a home safety scheme and a dental health improvement initiative.