FAMILIES living in two deprived area of Blackburn are to receive a £2.2 million boost.

A Sure Start initiative is to be launched in the Mill Hill and Livesey areas of the town to help families with children aged under four.

The government's Sure Start initiative has been designed to combat social exclusion and give young children in poor areas the best possible start in life.

A Sure Start board made up of local parents, councillors, community leaders and representatives from the voluntary sector has been set up to lead the programme, which will implement improvements to children's health, education and the parental care they receive.

A parent's forum has been created to ensure that the programme is developed to meet the needs of local families.

Janie Richter, secretary to the Forum, said: "This programme is marvellous for the area.

"We're going to get some serious funding to provide better services and support to families and what's more, local parents are going to be close to the action and influence the decision making."

Coun Maureen Rishton, board chairman, said: "Families with young children have so much to contend with these days. This programme will be a welcome boost for the area.

"It will bring in more child care support along with new and innovative ways to give young children the best possible start."

A similar scheme in Darwen has already been hailed a resounding success, while a project in the centre of Accrington and including the west of the town and Church is currently making progress.

The two Blackburn areas are the latest to be identified for help as part of the national programme.

Any parents who have a child under the age of four and Live in Mill Hill, Green Lane, Galligreaves, Griffin, Hollin Bank and Livesey, can find out more by contacting Christine Smalley in the Sure Start office, based at Albion Street Nursery, on 01254 692817.