WARRINGTON is to be allocated nearly £3.5m to develop Sure Start children's centres in plans announced by the Minister for Children, Young People and Families, writes Neil Docking

Margaret Hodge MP outlined the plans as part of a Government drive to put a centre in every community, which will see the north west receive a guaranteed £140m between 2006 and 2008.

She described the centres as a one-stop-shop for family services, including early learning, day-care, job training and healthcare provision.

Clr Colin Froggatt, the borough council's executive board member for children's services, said: "This grant will assist us in our aims to focus on the needs of children under the age of five and provide vital services to help give them the best start in life. We are already putting plans in place to develop our children's centres to deliver these services."

And Malcolm Roxburgh, strategic director for children's services at the borough council, also praised the announcement.

He added: "We are delighted to have received our allocation for our Sure Start schemes, which will help us to create positive opportunities for children and their families in Warrington."

The money will be allocated over the next three years and will help to build children's centres in Warrington.

As previously reported in the Warrington Guardian, two children's centres have already been opened in the borough - and more are planned.