FAMILIES in Brierfield are set for a better start in life after the opening of a new child care centre.

SureStart Brierfield and Walverden yesterday moved into a new purpose-built home which will be known as The Family Tree Centre.

The building, in Tunstill Square, will become the focal point for families in the area.

SureStart Brierfield will offer an expanded health visitor drop-in service offering advice to parents, ante-natal services, support for parents, advice on lifestyles and a day care sessions for up to 30 children will be opening in the coming weeks.

It will be run by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust (PCT) in partnership with SureStart, the government organisation which aims to improve the quality of life of families by combining education, childcare, health and family support.

Manager Ann Crichton said she was thrilled with the centre.

She said: "It really is a fantastic opportunity.

"We have a great building which will give us the facilities to serve local parents and children far better.

"People will be able to access all the services they need under one roof."

SureStart was based across the town and at one time it was going to move into the new Brierfield People's Centre.

However, that was mothballed last June after it emerged the centre had opened without a fire certificate.

The centre was funded through European cash, Pendle Partnership and regeneration agency the North West Development Agency.

It was officially opened by the PCT's chief executive David Peat.