A NEW £1.3 million children's centre will be built in Tonge Moor, Bolton Council bosses said today.

Plans have been unveiled for the development at Tonge Moor Primary School which will offer residents free nursery education, childcare and a range of health services.

It will be the sixth centre of its type in the borough.

Bolton Council received £2.3 million from the Government last year to develop children's centres in disadvantaged areas.

Government ministers hope the centres will bridge the attainment gap between poor and better-off children.

Cllr Barbara Ronson, Leader of Bolton Council, said: "The centre will provide services ranging from parental and family support to high quality early education, and will give families real opportunities to improve their lives.

"It's very much a community-based development, with the United Reformed Church and others playing a key role to ensure that we are providing what people really want."

Agreements have been reached on a number of key issues and more talks are being held to finalise details. Once the go-ahead is given, work could start this autumn and the centre could be open by 2006.

Homestart, a voluntary organisation working with young families, has also asked if it can be located at the new centre.

The council's social services department also hopes to place staff there from the Connaught Square Family Support Centre.

The school would link in with the new development by becoming a community hub offering all-year-round services.

The Harvey Early Years Centre became Bolton's first children's centre in September 2003. Four Sure Start Centres at Rumworth, Halliwell, Greater Farnworth and Great Lever will also become children's centres in April 2005.

The United Reformed Church in Tonge is working closely with the council on the project and will relocate to the children's centre from its current home in Starkie Road.

The Rev Valerie Davies, minister at the church, said: "We have been working closely with other churches and other organisations supporting the people in this area and it is clear that we need a different sort of building to help us work together in the future."