VOLUNTARY organisations in East Lancashire have been given the go-ahead to bid for a share of a £15million Parenting Fund.

The fund is due to be launched by Minister for Children, Margaret Hodge MP, on Monday and grants will be available this autumn.

Ms Hodge said: "Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs we do in life, yet support and help is often not readily available. Parents are the most important influence on a child's life and good parenting in the home has a greater impact on a child's education attainment level than any other factor.

"Most parents turn first to family or friends for support, but sometimes they may want extra help. We need to make sure that support is available to parents, when and where they need it.

"At the same time, I am clear that we must enable parents to maintain their sense of independence and feel in control. The Parenting Fund will help to develop a range of support available to parents at different stages in a child's life. The voluntary and community sector has a track record of providing a full range of good quality parental support. In providing £15.5million funding for local and national projects, the Parenting Fund will help ensure that more families benefit the unique expertise of the sector."