A GROUP of youngsters took part in a sponsored bounce to raise money for the Sure Start project.

Children from Darlington jumped for hours on a multi-coloured bouncy castle to raise the money.

Sure Start, in McNay Street, Darlington, works with parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of pre-school children.

The children who took part in the fundraising were all given a T-shirt and will be presented with a certificate for their efforts.

Pauline Murray, programme manager at Sure Start, said: "Parents are at the heart of all the activities we are doing with the children.

"They organise many of the programmes and events and like to have their own fund to be able to pay for more things."

Ann-Marie Bainbridge has a two year-old daughter and uses the centre regularly.

She said: "Toddler groups are closed during the summer, so this is a great place to come with my daughter. Parents are able to meet with other parents while the children play in a safe environment."

Another parent who uses the centre, Joan Allen, said the centre was a life-saver when she moved back to Darlington after being away for 13 years.

She said: "I was suffering from post-natal depression and had no friends in the area. The centre gave me the support I needed and I made friends with other parents."

Sure Start run programmes each day, both during the holidays and at term time. They have a new scheme starting on Wednesday, where children can borrow toys from a toy library.