A SCHEME to help under-fives in east Cleveland celebrated its first birthday yesterday with a free day of fun.

The Sure Start East Cleveland Partnership is part of the Government's national scheme to help youngsters under the age of five and their parents escape from deprivation and poverty.

Local MP Ashok Kumar launched the east Cleveland scheme at Loftus Youth and Community Centre last year and now the centre has a permanent base at the same site in Duncan Place.

The scheme has developed a huge presence in the area and highlights of a year full of achievements include the development of satellite centres at three Loftus primary schools - Hummersea, Harry Dack and St Joseph's, plus a fully equipped playbus and a growing number of staff to work in the community.

Sure Start manager Julie Conner said: "So much has happened in the last 12 months. It has really been a hectic year."

Yesterday, children from the three Loftus schools along with others from Whitecliffe Primary at Carlin How gave a performance of country dancing and singing before Councillor Vilma Collins, Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, cut the ribbon to open the centre.

The children then enjoyed an afternoon of fun with entertainers, bouncy castles, a ball pool, face painting, craft activities and story telling.