Services for young families in Preston are to get a £355,000 boost.

Barton and Fulwood are in line for new facilities in the third phase of Lancashire County Council's ambitious children's centre programme.

The programme has already established children's centres in Ribbleton (Brookfield Primary and Ribbleton Hall Drive), Stoneygate, Brant Road, Ashton Primary, Riverbank and Sharoe Green.

Now plans are in the design stage for satellite services at St Lawrence's CE Primary School, Jepps Avenue, Barton, and at Fulwood Leisure Centre, Black Bull Lane.

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Total costs of this split-site centre “ which aims to be up and running by March 2010“ are expected to be about £355,000 with a further investment of £50,000 per annum revenue funding.

The developments will involve remodelling of existing space or extension to existing buildings.

County Councillor Jennifer Mein, Cabinet Member for children and young people, said: "This is great news for families in these areas of Preston and I'm sure the centres will be very popular when they open. They bring together all the services for young families at the heart of local communities.

"I am very proud that Lancashire continues to lead the way in providing such services and support to our diverse communities, with one of the largest and most developed children's centre networks in the country."

(CD/KMcA)