FAMILIES with tiny tots took the chance to give their children a sure start in life thanks to a fun day with a serious message in Eston yesterday.

The event was one of a series of activities being launched by the new Sure Start scheme in Grangetown, South Bank, Whale Hill, Lackenby and Lazenby. The scheme, which has proved a success in east Cleveland, is part of a Government initiative to improve opportunities for youngsters under four living in areas of social deprivation.

The Grangetown and South Bank group has been given a £6m Government grant and is organising a series of events to ask local parents how they think the money should be spent during the next decade.

Sure Start planning officer Catherine Pickering said the project will look at services including child care, safe play areas, nurseries, creches and help with healthy eating, speech and language.

Councillor Ian Jeffery, lead member for Lifelong Learning and Leisure with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said that the consultation event was vital to get an overall picture of the sort of changes and improvements parents wanted.