NEARLY £2 million of government funds will be invested in four areas of Bolton to give children a better start in life.

Sure Start Rumworth is to receive £1,783,125 from the government over the next three years to provide a range of services and support to children under four and their families across parts of four wards - Central, Daubhill, Deane-Cum-Heaton, Derby and Halliwell.

It will be the fourth Sure Start programme to operate in Bolton since the project first started in 2000. Halliwell has a successful Sure Start centre in Shepherd's Cross Street and the programme is also being developed in Farnworth and Great Lever.

Liz Dearden, operations manager for Farnworth Sure Start said: "It is all about helping children get a better start in life.

"Areas we work with include families coming from a disadvantaged background and we are trying to ensure by the time children reach school they are in a better position to perform at school.

"We get families that have had some problem or who just want support and advice."

The new funding will finance a Sure Start centre in Blackledge Street and it is hoped it will be up and running by the summer.

It will be run by four permanent members of staff and they will primarily be concerned with health, education and social development.

A variety of courses for parents will be available ranging from keep-fit to aromatherapy or computer courses to help them get back into work or improve their education. Parents will be able to leave children at a free creche while they study.

Health visits, home visits and midwifery are amongst the services that will be on offer to help those who may not have had the best start in life. The centre will also run a cafe where parents can socialise.

The particular services Sure Start will provide in the area were selected by a steering group made up of local parents. It was this steering group that came up with the proposals that were submitted to the government for the scheme's funding.

Although Sure Start is aimed at the more vulnerable families, any family who live in the area will be able to benefit from its services.

And in the areas where the programme is already operating, Liz said it is making a difference, although it is too early to have collected any data or statistics.

"It seems to be making some impact in the areas. It is mainly mums we deal with, although we do encourage fathers as well."

MP Ruth Kelly is firmly backing the project. She said: "This scheme will offer experienced advice for parents of young children. It means better access to health care, early education, childcare, family support and advice on parenting."