A NATIONAL charity has announced a unique partnership with Burnley's Sure Start programme in a bid to discover what local families need.

National Children's Homes (NCH) is to team up with Sure Start to carry out a widespread public consultation after it was awarded more £700,000 of Government funding each year for the next seven years from the national Sure Start initiative.

The programme will invest in the future by working locally to improve the health and well being of children under the age of four, as well as that of their families, by giving them the best possible start in life.

NCH is working with Sure Start in Burnley to find out exactly what the public wants to see from the service.

The charity will be consulting people in Duke Bar, Heasandford, Burnley Wood and Fulledge to find out what they think would improve the health, learning, play and family support services provided for children and their families.

On Saturday, February 16, between 11am and 3pm families from Heasandford and Duke Bar are invited to St John's Parish Church in Ivy Street.

A range of activities, including live music, arts and crafts, kite making and food, has been organised.

A 'Video Box' will allow people to record their opinions and ideas about what Sure Start should be doing.

David Barnes of NCH said: "Giving your children better opportunities at an early age allows them to flourish, both at home with their families and when they go to school.

"It's important that local parents and carers get involved in Sure Start right from the beginning and tell us what they think is most needed.

"So came along to the Fun Day, have fun, have your say and find out more."

Burnley already has a Sure Start programme in Daneshouse and Stoneyholme that has been running for a year.