A DRIVE to give youngsters living in the north of Hartlepool the best possible start in life has taken a major step forward.

A detailed delivery plan has been submitted to the Government setting out the aims of the North Hartlepool Sure Start Partnership.

If it is approved, hundreds of thousands of pounds will be available to help youngsters under the age of four and their parents.

Sure Start involves health, education and social care staff working with parents to ensure their children flourish when they start school.

The North Hartlepool scheme stands to benefit hundreds of families living in an area from King Oswy Drive to the Headland, including West View and Central Estate.

They will have access to a range of facilities and opportunities including local drop-in centres, opportunities for parents to get advice and develop their parenting skills, and information about what's on, where and when.

Gill Rollings, lead officer of Hartlepool Borough Council's education service, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to invest in the future of today's children and the children of tomorrow."

A Sure Start scheme is already running in the Seaton Grange and Owton Rossmere areas of town and it is hoped that the North Hartlepool programme will be up and running later this year.