CHILDMINDERS in Darlington have access to expert training and support from a new development officer.

Lynda Smith has been employed by the Darlington Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

Ms Smith, a former childminder, will visit all of Darlington's 200 childminders to make sure they get all the support and training they need.

She said: "Childminders own and run small businesses, often on their own. It's my intention to be known as the person that childminders can depend on for assistance with start-up costs and sustainability funding, further training, helping them to get and keep customers, and generally as someone who will listen to them."

The childcare partnership is committed to creating and promoting 1,529 childcare and early education places in Darlington by 2004