Fun and games at Sure Start launch

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

The launch comes after hard work by parents in the area who have been eager to secure more funding and activities for themselves and their 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 and education departments, and the 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 gathered 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 in developing initiatives to support young families, including creating a base for the scheme where parents can meet and exchange experiences.

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."

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

It has already provided 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.