A POPULAR family centre has moved to a new home in the centre of Salisbury, after serving the community from a portable cabin for 15 years.

The Children's Charity NCH moved the Bemerton Heath family centre to St Martin's School on April 1, allowing it to bring additional services to the families living in the heart of the city.

The new site will provide more space for the centre, which offers several services, including an out-of-school club and holiday play schemes.

Meanwhile, the old portable cabin will be donated to a local playgroup, ensuring facilities for families on Bemerton Heath are still available.

NCH regional director Shelagh Fleming is delighted with the move, which she says will bring improvements to families in the area.

"From the church school building, NCH will be delivering a range of play-based services accessible to more families in the city, and yet families will still be able to access NCH's service on Bemerton Heath, as we will be able to provide an outreach service," she said.

"NCH families and staff are working hard to make the move positive.

"St Martin's Church has been excellent and we thank them for their enthusiasm and commitment to making the move possible."

The centre receives £80,000 in funding from Wiltshire county council and south Wiltshire primary care trust, and will work with them to create new ways of delivering services.

John Stoddart, Salisbury area children and education manager, said: "We view this move as a very positive one.

"We are very happy that more of the money we have to run on will be going directly on services for the families, rather than on rent and maintenance of the old buildings."