CHILDREN'S services in Darlington are undergoing changes as health and childcare professionals join forces.

Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) staff will work alongside officials from Darlington Borough Council and SureStart.

The aim is to maximise prospects for the town's young people by ensuring they have access to good health and education.

Darlington PCT's lead for children services, Lucy Wheatley, said: "The emphasis has to be on keeping children healthy so that they can achieve a good education, go on to secure good jobs which will keep them out of poverty."

The council has reorganised its social services and education departments to form children services.

The PCT is organising its health visitors, school nurses, early years workers and community nurses to meet the needs of the new system.

It is also developing the Healthy Schools Standard, which promotes good physical health and addresses issues such as stress and bullying.

Children under five will benefit from centres being set up in certain areas of the town offering services from health to play and education.

Some schools are planning to extend the working day.

"It's fantastic to think that some playing fields and swimming pools may be available outside school hours," said Mrs Wheatley.

"Health services will need to be delivered where the children are for most of the day, which will be around the schools."

Head of nursing Linda Bailes said: "We are well aware of the changes and have started working on how we are going to align with the new system."