FIVE new children's centres are to be opened across Worcestershire to help families with young children.

National children's charity Barnardo's has joined forces with Worcestershire County Council to develop the centres in Malvern, Stourport, Bewdley, Kidderminster and Bromsgrove.

Families with children under the age of five will be able to access a wide range of important services from one base on their doorstep, including parenting workshops, play and stay sessions, children's health clinics and individual family support. The Bromsgrove centre, Pear Tree Sure Start Children's Centre at Sidemoor, which serves the south of the town, will be the first to open its doors.

Barnardo's is holding a special Family Fun Day on Friday, May 9 to showcase the new facility, giving local families the opportunity to find out more about what support services are on offer. The other centres are expected to open by the end of the year and in the meantime, support services will start to be set up using existing local community venues.

Barnardo's assistant director Hugh Sherriffe said: "These new centres provide the perfect example of what Barnardo's does today.

"We haven't run orphanages for years now but work in local communities running projects that provide a wide range of support to children, young people and their families.

"We have 50 projects in the Midlands and already run six children's centres in other areas of the region. We're really excited about these new centres and are keen to get to know the local community and provide the support that families need in each area." Just over £3 million has been earmarked for investment in the five centres over the next three years.

The majority of the cost will be met by Worcestershire County Council with Barnardo's providing £605,000 of voluntary funds.

Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: "I am delighted that Barnardo's is announcing its enhanced partnership working with the council to run five of our children's centres in the county.

"Like ourselves, this well known charity's vision is firmly grounded on children being at the centre of, and the focus of, all activity. I am very enthusiastic about the potential added value from this new development."