AN event is being held to try to ensure a new Early Years Centre in Hartlepool meets the needs of local residents.

Parents of children under the age of four are being urged to attend a Community Have Your Say Day, at St John Vianney Primary School, King Oswy Drive, Hartlepool, on Wednesday.

The event has been organised by the town's Sure Start North scheme. People can drop in from 9am to 11.30am and 1pm to 3pm.

Sure Start and the Church Diocese have each contributed £80,000 towards the £640,000 cost of the centre, which has received funding of almost £500,000 from the North Hartlepool Single Regeneration Budget Partnership.

The centre is due to open in January and will house a pre-school nursery, pre-school and after-school childcare, a playgroup and a creche.

There will also be facilities for after-school study and a training base to help people gain childcare and other qualifications.