A purpose-built new children's centre for Holsworthy will be officially opened on Friday (April 24). The new £450,000 centre has been built next to Holsworthy Primary School.

The building is part of a multi-million pound investment programme by Devon County Council to provide 43 children's centres across the county.

Children's centres provide co-ordinated services and support for children up to five and their families. They bring together professionals involved in looking after the needs of young children with the aim of promoting positive ways of learning, healthy lifestyles and the early identification of any problems which may adversely affect a child later on.

The Holsworthy centre will be officially opened by the Chairman of Devon County Council, John Rawlinson, at 10.30pm on Friday, April 24.

Devon's executive councillor for children's services, John Smith, said: "There is overwhelming evidence to demonstrate that it's in the early years of a child's life where patterns are set for the future.

"What happens in those early years can determine the quality of the rest of their lives.

"Every parent naturally wants the best for their child and we are determined to help and support them in ensuring their children get the best possible start in life."

The centre is being run for Devon County Council by the Bluecoat Infant and Nursery School Governing Body. Helen Hallam, who is responsible for the Bluecoat Children's Centre in Torrington, is managing the Holsworthy centre.

She said: "It is very exciting that now, in addition to the outreach services we have been offering, we can support families in the community from this fantastic new centre in Holsworthy.

"The Children's Centre is much more than just a building and our reach is very wide. Working hand in hand with mums, dads, carers and other agencies, we aim to improve outcomes and raise aspirations, to give every child the very best possible start in life.

"The services we are offering include play sessions, baby massage, young parents group, Job Centre Plus drop-ins, ante-natal and post-natal support. "

Last year a survey of more than 1,300 users across Devon revealed more than nine out of ten young families were happy with the support they received from the county's children's centres.

Over 97 per cent said they were very satisfied or satisfied with both the overall service they had received and the facilities at the centres. And over 98 per cent expressed their satisfaction with staff.