A GOVERNMENT-funded project to improve facilities for parents in Rossendale will lead to two nurseries opening in Bacup and Stacksteads.

Sure Start secured £1.7million in April last year but the project has been delayed because the first project manager turned the job down before further delays in acquiring premises in Bacup.

Programme manager Michaela Francioli said: "We are expecting an announcement on the property imminently and we hope the premises will be open by the summer of 2003."

Sure Start still hopes to develop the former Bacup Baths building in Rochdale Road into a nursery and is also looking to set up a nursery in Stacksteads.

Michaela has appointed Lynne Garvey as day care, play and early learning officer and Ricky Hirst will take up her post as assistant project manager next week. She is still to carry out interviews for two health visitors who will be working on the scheme.

Michaela said: "We hope to run smoking cessation classes and encourage mothers to breast feed.

"We are also hoping to link in with the computer courses which Accrington and Rossendale College run with the single regeneration budget scheme by providing creche facilities so parents with young children can attend.

"One of Lynne's first jobs it to go out into the community and find venues in the outlying areas so we can bring facilities to the people.

"Our aim is not to take people away from their areas, but to take services to them and expand on what already exists."