A PIONEERING group to tackle issues faced by young dads is being established in East Lancashire.

Staff from Blackburn with Darwen's teenage pregnancy strategy hope the project will help fathers and prospective dads understand the legal and practical implications of a new baby.

The group will also tackle wider issues such as health, training and employment opportunities.

Primary Care Trust health visitor Claire Johnston, who initiated the scheme, said: "A lot of young men do not know what their rights or responsibilities are as young dads or potential dads.

"There is a lot of support for young mums but very few services are specifically geared towards young dads, which can lead to social exclusion for them.

"There can also be a lot of problems in accessing their children. Young dads are stereotyped as irresponsible but many are not like that."

At an initial meeting to discuss the future of the group, which will take a multi-agency approach, a number of organisations came together to discuss barriers young men come across.

Agencies included the Youth Offending Team, Healthy Living Centre, Brook, SELF, Sure Start and Barnados.

Christine Goodman, who will coordinate the group, said: "It was agreed that there was not a lot for young fathers or young men in general.

"The group is still in its very early stages but we hope to work with these other agencies and more to improve matters.

"We need to look at the barriers and how to make services more man friendly."

The scheme is already being welcomed by young dads. Shaun Warburton, 20, and his girlfriend Gemma Welch, also 20, who live in Neath Close, Blackburn, became parents 23 months ago and discovered provisions were biased towards mothers.

Shaun, a welder in Darwen, said: "Jack was unexpected and there was definitely a lack of information and services available for me.

"There is more for mums than dads everywhere you go such as mums and toddlers swimming classes and that can exclude young dads.

"It is also a problem with baby changing facilities as they are often in the ladies toilets and dads have to ask permission to use them."

Bernard Kennedy, Sure Start Dads' Worker for Mill Hill and Livesey, attended the first meeting for the group. He said: "It was agreed that men don't really like meeting in groups.

"Parent and Toddler sessions are sometimes seen as all women events and in my view it is part of my role to explain to Dads that I meet that it is OK to be a bloke and attend such groups."

The next meeting is on February 4 at The Foyer, Princes Street, Blackburn.

Suggestions from young men, including dads, can be made to Christine Goodman on 01254 260645.