RESEARCH into children's services in Burnley has been launched in a week when the nation debated whether youngsters' schoolwork suffers when both their parents work.

Burnley council's urban regeneration team has begun consultation with parents, childcare professionals and volunteers to find out how youngsters can be given more support in their education.

The start of the inquiry coincided with the screening of a BBC Panorama documentary which suggested that children whose mothers work full-time do less well than expected in GCSEs.

"Services for children and support for parents are emerging as major issues," said Steve Watson, Burnley council's anti-poverty officer.

"Many groups see the need for more support in terms of care for pre-school toddlers, after-school clubs and helping parents give support to their children at school.

"We want to find out if there is enough provision for children at the right times, with the right facilities and at the right price."

The chairwoman of the urban regeneration forum, Councillor Kath Reade, said: "We need to identify the problems and the gaps so we can support future projects which address them."

Send your views to Steve at Burnley Town Hall, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JA.

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