A CHILDCARE information service will be promoted in a huge publicity campaign.

Using radio adverts, promotions and mass mailings, County Durham's Childcare Information Service (CIS) will share a regional pot of £50,000 in Government funding to promote itself to parents and childcare professionals.

It aims to encourage people to use it as a one-stop shop for childcare, and has recently moved to new premises following an expansion of services offered by its helpline.

Alison Gargett, CIS manager, said: "The helpline is running at between 300 and 400 inquiries a month, and we hope this will rise significantly in June when the regional publicity campaign begins.

"We aim to make the CIS the focal point for quality information on childcare matters."

As well as providing parents with information about childminders, nursery education and out of school clubs, the service offers advice to anyone wanting to become a childminder or pursue another career in childcare.

The CIS can be contacted on 0845 602 4469