THE services and facilities on offer at Okehampton Children's Centre were under the spotlight during a visit from the MP for Central Devon and the Okehampton mayor recently.

The visit of Mel Stride MP and Cllr the Rev Mike Davies was organised by Abby Sproats, who runs the Sure Start Centre in Hatherleigh.

The pair were shown around the Okehampton centre, which is managed by Barnardos on behalf of Devon County Council, and learned more about the services and support available.

The centre supports parents and carers with under fives.

Mr Stride said: 'The programmes and classes available at the Sure Start Centres in Okehampton and Hatherleigh really are impressive. It is essential that sufficient support is provided to families with young children, especially for first-time parents and for families where parents are balancing childcare with full-time or part-time jobs.

'Helping young people to develop positively provides huge benefits to families and to society generally as children develop into adults.'

Abby Sproats said: 'It was great to meet Mel and take him around our Okehampton Centre to better inform him of the parenting programmes, cookery courses, healthy eating, first aid training and ante-natal classes, to name a few, that are available to local families. Anyone wanting more information about our services should get in touch.'

The children's centre is based at Okehampton College and is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 2.30pm. Free activities take place both within Okehampton and the wider community, including Chagford, South Zeal and Sticklepath.

These include parenting programmes, breastfeeding groups, baby massage, healthy eating, communication skills, music and movement, and support for children with additional needs. Staff also provide links to health services, education, employment and training.

For more information on the Okehampton centre, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] visit http://www.barnardos.org.uk/devoncc/okehampton">www.barnardos.org.uk/devoncc/okehampton or call 01837 658621.

Hatherleigh Sure Start Centre is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4.30pm and Friday from 9am to noon.