THE hunt is on to find the community which will benefit from a service which gives deprived youngsters the best possible start in life.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been awarded funding to launch a new Sure Start service.

There are already two schemes in the borough, in Darwen and Mill Hill, with two more being set up in the Shadsworth and Whitebirk and Audley and Queen's Park areas.

Sure Start schemes have also been set up in Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale and Hyndburn in recent years.

The Government has announced £200million funding for 85 new Sure Start schemes across the country over the next four years.

Sure Start works by providing support and facilities to parents and pre-school children in deprived areas. Schemes which have been set up under the Sure Start banner include playgroups, toy libraries and and advice clinics for parents.

The council's executive member for Social Service, Coun Sue Reid, said: "This is our fifth programme and in the coming weeks we will determine the area of focus of the project. It is a testament to solid working partnerships and innovative practice that we continue to be viewed as a successful and high achieving council.

"I know that the new Sure Start project will benefit more families by giving children a better start in life."

Sure Start also aims to support the physical, intellectual and emotional development of very young children by working with their parents and providing help with play, learning, health services, childcare and family support. Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper said: "We need to make sure every child gets the best start in life.

"Too often in the past services did not reach those who need them most and young families in low income areas have missed out. Sure Start is already making a real difference in helping break the cycle that keeps people trapped in poverty - each month Sure Start are reaching 6,000 children who haven't been contacted before."

Each Sure Start scheme has a management board made up of interested parties, including parents.

In the short term it has been shown to improve children's health, social, emotional and cognitive development. Long term benefits include better achievement in education, increased earnings, reduced levels of criminal activity and lower rates of teenage pregnancy.