The new centre will be based at Granard Primary School

The new centre will be based at Granard primary school and will offer local families a one-stop shop of services ranging from affordable childcare and basic skills training to play sessions for the under fives.

Four more centres are due to open before the end of the year as the council moves to fulfill its pledge of offering a children's centre for all 20 of the borough's wards.

As well as childcare parents can access training and support in helping them get back into work, and there is also help and advice for people who are finding parenting difficult. There are also regular drop-in sessions where parents can speak to health professionals and a host of services for children with special needs.

Children and young people's spokesman Kathy Tracey said: "We offer a comprehensive range of family friendly services at all our children's centers and we are expanding provision because we fully recognize the vital role they play in supporting parents and helping children get the best start in life."