Liz Coates Families have celebrated the official opening of their new £822,000 Sure Start Children's Centre in Belton.The Village Green Children's Centre welcomed children, parents and grandparents as it marked its official opening.

Liz Coates

Families have celebrated the official opening of their new £822,000 Sure Start Children's Centre in Belton.

The Village Green Children's Centre welcomed children, parents and grandparents as it marked its official opening.

The Children's Centre, which is run by Norfolk County Council, serves families in the Belton, Bradwell, Browston, Burgh Castle, Fritton and St Olaves and provides a range of services all under one roof.

Courtney Allard, aged two, opened the centre with her dad Martyn. They were two of the 135 plus guests who attended on the day.

Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for children's services, said: “Children's Centres are a wonderful resource at the heart of a community and who better to open the centre in Bradwell than one of the children who will directly be able to benefit from it.

“We are committed to providing Children's Centres exactly where they are needed to help improve outcomes for children and their families. I am thrilled that Saturday's event was such a success and would urge all those who attended to make use of this fabulous new facility.”

The event gave everyone in the area the opportunity to come together to celebrate. Youngsters were able to meet Isabella and Pip, two rescued Shetland ponies, and were also treated to a martial arts demonstration.

Families enjoyed picnic lunches in the sun and sampled a range of stalls, run by local parents.

A Wishing Tree was also provided so that children and parents could offer their ideas for how the centre should evolve. A Parents Forum will now be established with a number of interested parents who will meet regularly at the centre.

There are now 36 Children's Centres in the county, with plans to develop another 15 by 2011.

Children's Centres provide access to Job Centre Plus, heath services, early years' provision and parenting support.

For more information, or to join the centre please call 01493 789562.