FREE family learning courses in St Helens and Newton-le-Willows are proving to be so popular that they are to be extended across the borough.

The courses, organised by the council's Community Education and Leisure Services Department, teach parents and carers parenting skills and guide those looking after children through the ups and downs of living with youngsters of all ages -- from toddlers to teenagers.

A series of two-hour-a-week sessions of 'Help your Child to Learn' courses are also available locally and run for six or seven weeks. These enable parents and carers to support their child's learning and lead to an Open College certificate for which you are not required to sit a test or exam.

Soon, a new series of 'Living with Children and Teenagers' courses will begin at a number of locations throughout St Helens, while courses designed to help parents prepare their children for school and to guide them through play, reading, writing and maths. are also starting up.

For further details contact the Family Learning Team in St Helens on 01744 455464 or the Parents' Information Centre at Newton-le-Willows Library on 01744 677888.