A POT of gold to ensure more SureStart children's centres are set up in Worcestershire has been welcomed by the county council.

As the Worcester News revealed last Tuesday, the Department for Skills and Education has awarded the council £7.9m to develop 23 new children's centres between 2006 and 2008.

These will complement the existing centres, including Fairfield Centre and Dines Green Primary School, Worcester, Franche First School, Kidderminster, Droitwich WANDS and Madresfield Early Years Centre, Malvern.

The centres serve young children up to the age of five and their families.

"I am delighted with the news that Worcestershire has been allocated this money," said Coun Andy Roberts.

"The county council will develop the children's centres in areas of greatest need to support as many families as possible.

"We will be talking to partner organisations about how we can improve access to services so families can receive these as quickly as possible.

"The county council is also developing a number of extended schools and with children's centres we will develop high-quality integrated services for children of all ages."

Sites for the new centres have yet to be decided.