Young parents in one of Swindon's poorer areas could soon benefit from a £1.4 million cash windfall.

A new Government-funded scheme called Sure Start is being launched in Pinehurst, Gorse Hill and Penhill.

The scheme, which looks at ways life could be improved for parents with children aged four and under, means that better medical, creche, or playground facilities could be built in the areas.

At the moment, Sure Start workers are consulting with parents in the North Swindon areas to see what facilities are lacking and what they need to help them bring up their children.

Once the consultation has been carried out Sure Start will apply for the maximum £1.4 million funding from the Department of Education in January, having drawn up a business plan.

The money will be split in two, meaning that up to £700,000 will be available for revenue funding like paying staff and the same amount will be available for capital projects like new playgrounds.

This money will be available over the next seven years.

Sure Start is urging parents to come forward to tell them what is needed and they are advertising through leaflet drops and schools.

Adina Grace, the Swindon Sure Start project co-ordinator, said: "So far, in Swindon, one of the main complaints has been the lack of play facilities for parents to take their children to.

"Another main issue in the area is the lack of public transport available for people to get into town to do a cheap weekly shop.

"These are all things which we will be looking at and trying to address.

"We can help in a lot of different ways, even if it is providing people with advice for their children or pointing them in the right direction if there are problems.

"One of the things we emphasise is that we are there on a friendship basis as well."

Sure Start will be working with other groups in the area to make sure that everyone gets the best out of the scheme. If a playground is needed the group will apply for the money and then pass the money over to the relevant association or group to build the playground.

Sure Start is holding a fun day on Saturday, November 18 from 10am to 2pm at the Pinehurst People's Centre, which will include a puppet show, a bouncy castle, clowns, face painting and a magician. There will be a free bus running continuously between Gorse Hill School, Penhill School and Pinehurst.

Parents will be able to come along and talk to Sure Start about how they can benefit from the scheme.

For more information about Sure Start call Adina Grace on 01793 716808.