Help for parents of young children wanting advice on anything from potty training to problems at school is on its way.

The revolutionary drop-in scheme is being launched in Otley next week to help mums and dads with all sorts of problems.

Called KidsCope, the pilot scheme aims to make life easier for the town's under eight-year-olds and their parents.

Set up by The Otley Project, the scheme is made up of professionals from the local education authority, the health authority, social services and the police.

The idea is that if potential problems are addressed early enough, they will not become serious later in the child's life.

Based at the Otley Clinic in Manor Square, the free drop-in service will be staffed by a team of expert professionals who will give support and advice on anything from coping with temper tantrums to settling in at school or nursery.

John Wells, educational psychologist, said: "Being a parent has to be the most difficult job in the world - and there's no handbook to tell you what to do.

"This new service is completely free and confidential. We'll listen to parents' concerns and if we can offer any advice straight away, we will."

If immediate advice was not possible the team would be able to suggest other people or groups who could be of assistance.

Mr Wells added: "It's all very informal - anyone is welcome to drop in, even if they just want to discuss their child's progress in walking, talking or whatever."

He stressed that the group would not be offering medical advice and parents concerned about their child's health should visit their family doctor as usual.

KidsCope is due to start on Tuesday, September 8 and will run on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 2 to 4pm at the Otley Clinic, Manor Square, Otley.

There is no need to make an appointment, but more information is available from John Wells on (0113) 242 9111.

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