A CHILDREN'S centre opened yesterday - the second of four to be opened in the run-up to Christmas.

Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods opened the Laurel Avenue Sure Start Centre, in Durham City, where she met staff, parents and children.

The centre will provide a range of services for parents with children under the age of five living in the surrounding area, including day care for pre-school children.

Dr Blackman-Woods said: "It was a great privilege to open this wonderful new centre, which had been developed with active participation by the local community.

"I am very pleased to see at first hand the excellent facilities and resources that will be provided at the Laurel Avenue centre.

"The children's centre will offer a whole range of support and advice to new parents in the area, as well as offering day-care facilities for children up to five years. I am sure that this will be a real positive for the local community."

On Thursday, Easington Sure Start Children's Centre was opened in Whickham Street, Easington Colliery.

They will be followed over the next few weeks by a centre in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery, and one in Coopers Terrace, Thornley.

Councillor Claire Vasey, Durham County Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "The opening of these new centres will bring tremendous benefits to the communities they serve.

"Young children will enjoy high-quality, integrated care and early education, which will play a valuable part in their development, while their parents will benefit from flexible childcare so they can access education, training and employment.

"The centres will also have a positive impact on people's health and wellbeing, while offering a wide-range of support and advice."

The centres are part of a network of more than 40 Sure Start centres planned for the county.

Frank Firth, of Sure Start County Durham, said the new centres would support the work already being done in the area.

He added: "Since 1999, Sure Start has worked in local communities and as partnerships have grown, so have the opportunities for parents to access services.