PARENTS are to be given more support through parenting helplines.

The Government is to plough more funds -- £6.15 million is available until March 2006 -- to support the helplines which provide parents with help and support over the telephone.

Parents will be able to get more direct help and support, when they need it, though a single telephone call, as a result of increased funding for parenting helplines.

Children, Young People and Family Minister, Margaret Hodge, said extra funding will be distributed to five helpline services to provide general and specialist support. She said: "Everything we know confirms that the quality of parenting in the home is key to enabling a child to fulfil their potential.

"Yet parenting is one of the most difficult jobs and there are times when any family may need extra support. We want to make sure it is available to them."

The helpline will set up a new database with information and contact details for a range of local services that parents need, such as where they can enrol on parenting classes or what youth services are available to their children.

All the helplines will have access to the database so parents will be able to get the information they need from one call.

Parentline Plus provide a first point of call to all parents. It is a free service, available 24 hours a day on 0808 800 2222.

Other helplines receiving funds are One Parent Families (£450,425) Advisory Centre for Education (£200,000), Children's Legal Centre (£254,952) and Young Minds (£310,000).