A PIONEERING centre in Little Hulton has started one of the only mother and toddler groups of its kind in the country.

The group will cater for "problem kids" whose hyperactive behaviour makes them difficult to control at other nurseries.

Children suffering from symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can often be labelled as problematic, leaving parents embarrassed or ostracised at playgroups.

However, the new group at the ADD Family Support Centre on Wynne Street, Little Hulton, specialises in helping these youngsters.

Mrs Christine McLanachan, chairman and founder of the centre, said: "Parents do not have to be worried. A lot of the time toddlers with ADD get turned away from playgroups and parents get frightened of taking them anywhere else.

"We here are not judgemental. We all know what it is like to have a difficult toddler.

"Toddlers who come here do not have to be diagnosed as having ADD.

"They can just show the signs -- hyperactivity, sleeping problems, inability to sit still or focus, and being overactive all the time.

"All these symptoms can make it difficult for the youngsters to mix with other toddlers. They can get labelled as problem kids.

"We also encourage parents to come to the playgroup meetings with their children. That way we can talk to them and give them advice. If parents want one to one consultations we can arrange that also.

"The group has been up and running for several weeks. On the first day you could see parents were frightened to death, but now its wonderful. No one looks at you or judges you when a toddler throws a tantrum.

"Staff here will have special training so parents will know their children are in safe hands."

The group costs £1 per session and is currently applying for a grant for toys. In the summer plans are afoot for a Single Regeneration Budget grant to pay for an outdoor play area.

The group meets every Wednesday morning. Parents and children can just turn up on the day or telephone the centre on 0161 790 1455/1422.

The ADD centre, which opened last summer, operates five days a week as well as one evening. In addition to the mother and toddler group, services -- which are open to anyone suffering from the affects of ADD -- include two weekly drop-in sessions, parent training courses, counselling sessions, therapy sessions, adult education and career advice, a solicitors clinic and a youth group.

There have also been computer and assertiveness courses and a further one in first aid is in the pipeline. How centre helped Vicki's nightmare MUM Vicki Mottram, 23, first thought there was something wrong with her daughter, Katie, just months after she was born.

She said: "She always seemed to be crying. The health visitor would say she will be better when she is sitting up, then it was she will be better when she is crawling, then, it will be better when she is walking."

But it never got better. Instead, Katie's behaviour has become more erratic.

The 23-month-old toddler is always on the move, never seemingly satisfied and her sleep patterns are irregular.

Mother and toddler groups were a particular nightmare for Vicki, until she read about the Little Hulton ADD Centre in the BEN.

Vicki, from Little Lever, said: "Katie is always on the go. She is moving and running about constantly and never seems to be still. She is always looking for something else.

"She stopped sleeping properly, and now on a good night she goes to bed at 10pm and wakes up at 5.30am. On a bad night it gets much worse than that.

"At the other nursery I took her to I would have to watch her all the time. She would be constantly crying or hitting other children.

"I felt different from the other mums. I seemed to be smacking Katie all the time. It was very embarrassing.

"Things started to improve when I went to the ADD Centre. It was such a relief. We do not know what is wrong with Katie because she is too young to diagnose, but people here have similar experiences. It makes a big difference -- they understand what you are going through.

"They are also very, very helpful. I have been given advice on how to get Katie into a routine. The toys at the mother and toddler group are better suited for her and that means she plays better."