HUNDREDS of children are set for the best start in life thanks to a £2million cash injection for child care in Burnley.

Two new Sure Start centres are to open in the coming weeks providing child, learning and health care to under fives and their parents.

And civic leaders today said the centres to open in Burnley Wood and south west Burnley the Accrington Road area were another sign of the continued improvement in the borough's most deprived neighbourhoods. Coun Janice Swainston, executive member for customer services, said: "The centres will be such a great asset for Burnley's youngest residents.

"Alongside the Elevate activity, this is yet another sign that things are improving in Burnley's most deprived neighbourhoods."

Funded through European and government cash the new centres off Oxford Road and in Tay Street, which cost £1.3million and £1million respectively, will open in the spring.

Facilities will include a toy library, creches, play areas, counselling areas, a space for health services and links to job and training opportunities.

Sure Start is the government drive to improve the quality of life of families by combining education, childcare, health and family support.

Terri Hacking Burnley Wood Sure Start manager said: "While this centre will focus on improving the lives of children up to five, we hope it will become much more than that and benefit the whole community."

Trinity ward councillor Carole Galbraith praised staff at the south west Burnley branch for their dedication.

She added: "It's absolutely marvellous that they will move into the new building."It will vastly improve the services it can give to young families in south west Burnley.

"It's a very big positive putting in much needed help right at the beginning of a child's life."