A FAMILY Centre in Clayton-le-Moors has been officially opened with a tree planting.

The Silver Birches Family Centre on Atlas Street -- named after the type felled to make way for the development -- replaced two previous day nurseries and now provides innovative family support work to communities in both Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

The site began operating last September but yesterday was officially opened by Chris Cheetham, County Coun Doreen Pollitt, Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council, and County Coun Dorothy Westell.

The previous day nurseries had been operating since the 1950s, offering day care to parents who worked in local mills and factories.

But changing social habits forced them to switch emphasis from traditional day care to more family-orientated support work. This provided the perfect opportunity to create a purpose-built centre in place of the older day nurseries.

Some of the services now offered at Silver Birches include basic parenting skills, help with behavioural and sleeping difficulties, relationship building between parent and child, budgeting and learning through play.

Parents are able to meet in an informal atmosphere and encouraged to suggest issues for discussion and work together. There are also facilities for group work, one-to-one work and an observations room. A large part of the work is completed in the family home.

The creation of this new family centre was made possible through the recent development of the new Co-op on Queen Street, Great Harwood.

Developers approached Lancashire County Council and asked to purchase and demolish the old Queen Street Day Nursery for the development. This was agreed on condition that a replacement facility was provided and it was decided that a Family Centre would best meet the needs of children and their families.