Young children across the Shipley district will benefit from a multi-million pound scheme aimed at giving them a better start in life.

More than £3 million will be pumped into some of the district's most deprived areas over the next three years as part of the Government's Sure Start scheme.

Community leaders have hailed the news as a massive boost for Shipley and have invited parents with children aged up to four to suggest ideas on how the cash should be spent.

The areas to be covered by the scheme include Bolton Woods, Frizinghall, Owlet, Gaisby, Windhill Crag, the Coach Road area of Baildon and parts of Hirst Wood.

And the money could be used to provide anything from play areas, toy libraries and day care facilities, to jobs training, support groups and health care schemes.

Mike Corrigan, Bradford Council's assistant director for children and families, said high levels of unemployment and few play areas and creche facilities made the area suitable for Sure Start funding.

He said: "The aim is to support children in their infancy and improve their chances and those of their parents in life.

"But Sure Start schemes have to clearly reflect what local parents say they need and we'll be consulting them through neighbourhood forums and by sending out information.''

Councillor David Herdson (Con, Shipley West), chairman of the Shipley area panel, said: "It'll make a huge difference to families in the more deprived areas of Shipley.

"We can target areas that have missed out in the past. Places like Frizinghall, Hirst Wood and the Coach Road area are part of relatively more affluent wards - Shipley West, Baildon and Bingley - so they haven't always been able to access funding such as the Single Regeneration Budget that Shipley East got.''

Councillor Tony Miller (Lab, Shipley East), manager of Bolton Woods Community Centre, said: "It's all about giving children in these areas the best possible start in life so this is more than welcome news.

"We're hoping to create neighbourhood nurseries which will allow parents parents on low incomes to go out and work or those on no income to seek employment while their children are looked after.''

Sure Start presentations are due to be made at Bolton Woods and Windhill neighbourhood forums tonight and tomorrow when creches will be provided. Presentations will also be made at the Frizinghall, Lower Baildon and Saltaire & Hirst Wood forums.

l Anyone with project ideas or who wants more information about Sure Start should call Shafique Shafi at Bradford Council's social services department on (01274) 614763.