YOUNGSTERS ushered in a new era of improved childcare in Penhill by cutting the turf for a new nursery complex.

Work has now started on the £1 million project to transform Penhill Community Centre, in Everleigh Road, into a modern facility offering a range of services for families with young children.

Sure Start the family support agency aimed at breaking the cycle of child poverty plans to turn the building, which closed in March, into a flourishing early years centre. The scheme works in the Penhill and Pinehurst wards in Swindon, which are classed as deprived by Government measures.

In addition, a new nursery with spaces for 34 children under four will be built in the grounds of the community centre.

Sure Start will move from its current premises in the Pinehurst People's Centre in Beech Avenue into the complex once work is completed in March.

Swindon Council has agreed to allow Sure Start to rent the building at a nominal rate for 25 years.

As part of the project, a new early years centre will be built at Pinehurst Infants School.

Sure Start manager Liz Evans said the scheme represents an exciting new dawn for Sure Start, which currently helps 800 children.

She said: "We are really excited work is finally starting on this project after a number of delays.

"There is currently a lack of childcare in Penhill, so this is really important for the area.

"It helps us to give young children a positive start in life, and support them educationally and emotionally."

The new facilities are desperately needed according to Coun Andy Harrison (Lab, Penhill).

He said: "Penhill and Pinehurst are deprived areas, and it is important that our children get an equal start in life.

"If they don't, the circle of poverty just continues.

"The nursery will not just allow parents to go out to work, but more importantly to get training."