A NEW project has been launched to encourage dads to spend more time with their children.

Primary schools and childrens centres are taking part in Me and My Dad, which offers weekly group activities for youngsters and their fathers, or male relatives or carers.

Run by Blackburn with Darwen Council, it is part of the Government's drive to engage parents in their children's education - Parents as Partners in Early Learning (PPEL) was launched last year.

The council is one of 41 authorities funded to run a PPEL scheme, which can be directed at a particular area.

The authority decided to focus on engaging with dads as fathers are generally seen as harder to reach than mums, but have a vital role in their child's learning.

The project targets parents of younger children aged three to five in more deprived areas of the borough.

It has been rolled out to three different areas of Blackburn, at four children's centres - John Smethurst, St James' Road, Higher Croft, Seven Trees, Whalley Street, and Shadsworth - and four primary schools - Cedars Infants, Hawthorne Street, St Michael with St John, Swallow Drive, Shadsworth Infants, and Longshaw Infants.

Around 30 fathers and grandfathers are taking part in Me and My Dad which began last month, and will continue until March.

Activities have included an arts and crafts session at Blackburn Museum, and a trip to Blackburn Rovers.

The events are designed to appeal to dads as well as encouraging them to be involved in the educational side, and give them ideas for activities that can be done at home, such as stories and rhymes, and messy play sessions.

The dads are given a disposable camera to take pictures of any activities they do at home.

A council spokesperson said: "The project aims to break down the barriers that prevent parents and particularly fathers from accessing children's centres and events at schools.

"It is also hoped that the work will help to boost dads' self confidence and self-esteem."

Gillian Miller heads up the project at Longshaw Infants in Crosby Road, where sessions are held every Friday afternoon.

Reception teacher Miss Miller said: "I have done various parent courses in the past, and whilst I have never excluded dads, they have never attended. .

"The feedback has been great and I think we'll have more coming back in January thanks to word of mouth."

Robert Smith, 64, from Rishton, attends the sessions with his granddaughter Casey Nelson, five.

He said: "It's been really excellent, we've learned how to plan different activities and the children love it, as do we - the only negative comment is that the course isn't long enough!"