A COMMUNITY facility designed to give youngsters the best possible start in life will be opened on Friday.

The government-backed Sure Start initiative provided £7,000 to refurbish the Rossmere annexe, in Hartlepool.

The building is on the Rossmere Primary School site and provides a wide variety of support to children and families so youngsters are ready to flourish when they go to school.

The annexe is already home to mother and toddler sessions, a playgroup and drop-in sessions for parents.

Lisa Biggin, headteacher at the school, said: "Our aim at Rossmere is to provide excellence for all within the school community. we are committed to forming partnerships with parents, who are the first educators and primary carers of children.

"Offering such a facility on the school site enhances our commitment to driving up standards in education and co-operation between school and home."

The Sure Start programme in south Hartlepool stands to benefit hundreds of families in the Owton Manor, Rossmere and Seaton Grange areas.

Denise Sutton, Sure Start (south) manager, said: "This is a good facility which offers a wide range of support and assistance to parents - all aimed at giving their children the best possible start in life."

It will be opened by Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson.