A £2m scheme to give children a better start in life takes a major step forward a week today.

Hindley and Hindley Green's Sure Start programme will open a new shop at 40, Market Street.

It will become the HQ of the programme, home to its co-ordinator Margaret Westbrook and her staff, and act as a drop-in centre. The scheme's aim is to improve conditions for children from before birth to the age of four -- and for their parents and carers.

It promises to improve their social and emotional development, health, their ability to learn and strengthen families and communities.

Margaret said: "We have made good progress so far. We have had regular meetings of the partnership board of management on which seven local parents serve, and we have had events to inform people about what the programme is about. It is designed to belong to local people, and the new shop will make a difference. It is hoped it will have a computer available for use by parents and carers of local pre-school children and phones linked to the council network.

"Over £2m has been made available including some money for new building and refurbishment. The programme is designed to last for 10 years, but the majority of the funding will be available during the next three years." A get-together for parents and carers of under fours, including grandparents and childminders, will take place at the Monaco Ballroom on Tuesday, February 6, between 10am and 11.30am, with a creche available.

The shop opening at 12.30pm on the 26th will coincide with the announcement of the winners of the logo competition organised among local children. The top design will be used to identify the shop and on documents and correspondence.