A CHILDREN'S centre will open in Vange next week to provide parents with support and advice on bringing up their family.

Run by South West Essex Primary Care Trust, the Kaleidoscope Centre will deal with the needs of under-fives. Nina Davies, centre co-ordinator, said the centre would initially run parent and toddler groups, plus a parent support group.

She said as time went on, she hoped it could offer far more.

She added: "We are aiming to provide a service which helps parents to ensure that their under fives get the very best start in life with better opportunities for parents and carers.

"We need to know what kinds of support and advice local parents need, so over the next few weeks, starting with our launch, we will be consulting families in our area."

The centre, in River-view Court, will also host visiting health teams.

The trust works with Essex County Council on the service.

Local families are welcome to attend the opening celebrations next Friday from 11am to 2pm, with a bouncy castle, children's entertainer and free goody bags.