A SURE Start pioneer has retired from his role as the champion of Darwen dads.

Richard Edmonds, 65, who has worked within the community since 1978, said farewell to his colleagues on Friday.

The project co-ordinator, originally from Kent, was involved in the Sure Start scheme when it began in 1999 and has been instrumental in its development as a service to help families and their children.

Debbie Charlesworth, family co-ordinator for the Board of Social Responsibility, said: "As a result of Richard's work, dads are now seen as a vital group by professionals who work out of the community.

"We are extremely proud of the results Richard has achieved in the area and it gives us a solid base to work from."

Richard's role at the centre has been seen to strengthen the community by providing a crucial service for dads which will be copied in Sure Start centres throughout the country.

Through his work, fathers have been taught how to communicate with their families and how to provide strong role models for their children.

Self-esteem is raised through the group meetings and fathers have gone onto work within the community -- one has even become the chairman of a town community association.

Richard trained as a social worker for community development and came to work in Blackburn in the 1970s where he was the director of social work on the Board of Social Responsibility.

He was partly responsible for setting up the Adoption Agency and worked in Shadsworth on developing the borough's first ever Dads' Group in 1995. The aim was to encourage fathers and to help them understand their special role within the family.

He appeared on the BBCs Esther Rantzen Show in 1998, speaking of the important role of dads.

The group became a fundamental part of the new Sure Start Centre in Sudell, which provides support to parents and carers and their children in the town.

More than 30 fathers are now attending weekly meetings of the Dads' Group.

Richard said: "I have had a long and fulfilling career which has touched on the lives of many families and dads in particular. I am very proud of the work I have done to develop the Dads' Group in Sudell.

"It has been a very special project. One of the most encouraging things is to see fathers moving into a more central and active role in bringing up their families."

Richard plans to spend more time with his family following his retirement, but will still visit the Gardening Club at the Sure Start Centre every Tuesday.

For more information on the Dad's Group contact 01254 778922.