YOUNG children and their parents in Ilkley will receive better services once a new unit dedicated to their needs is set up by Bradford Council.

Dennis Williams, the assistant director of pupil and community service said the one of the unit's aims will be to co-ordinate all aspects of the local authorities early years service for children up to the age of eight.

The unit will also join forces with outside agencies such as the local health authority, voluntary services and private education and nursery providers.

Community development committee chairman Councillor Ralph Berry said: "It is increasingly becoming clear that if we are to give our children the start in life they deserve and respond to new Government initiatives, such as providing every child with good quality education from the age of four, then we need a dedicated early years unit."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.