TODDLERS in Ipswich will soon be able to make use of a new children's centre.Work is starting on the children's centre, which will cost more than £500,000, for Sure Start Whitton and Central Ipswich.

TODDLERS in Ipswich will soon be able to make use of a new children's centre.

Work is starting on the children's centre, which will cost more than £500,000, for Sure Start Whitton and Central Ipswich.

Toddlers in hard hats will be helping construction workers dig the first sods of earth next Wednesday. .

The centre will have a large playroom, an area for the community and a multi-purpose room that can be used by families and children in the area.

It will allow more parenting courses and play sessions for children and their parents.

The project is based in Chevallier Street, Ipswich. The main building at the front of the site will remain, but the building project will see the single storey building at the back extended and renovated.

Jacqui Leith, programme manager for Sure Start Whitton and Central Ipswich, said: "We are all very excited about the new building.

"It will give us more scope for drop-in services, midwives, health visitors and a range of different agencies, including people giving budgeting advice.

"The multi-purpose room will offer us new opportunities for services like baby massage and we are also hoping to provide crèche facilities too."

Sure Start is a government programme that aims to help children under the age of four in deprived areas get the best start in life, by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support services.

Sure Start Whitton and Central Ipswich currently works with about 600 families in its area.

The cost of the new children's centre, which should be finished by February next year, is being met by Sure Start Whitton and Central Ipswich.

Are you pleased about the new children's centre? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk