THE customer really does know best -- even when they are under the age of 12!

And to prove the point, the youngsters are being consulted on how best to develop play schemes in Farnworth and Little Hulton.

Play session teams are seeking the advice of children as young as four.

They will be asked what they like doing best at the Listening Day meeting tomorrow at Cleggs Lane Methodist Church, Little Hulton.

The event takes place from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

In addition to their advice, opinions and ideas, children will be invited to take part in games and a workshop about bullying.

The police will be holding a workshop centred around playing truant, shoplifting and vandalism, with some role-playing involved.

Last summer, more than 1,000 children benefited from the school holiday schemes organised by the Youth and Family Support Team, and supported by the Little Hulton and Farnworth Partnership and Salford Social Services.

Parents were given the choice of affordable and secure childcare for children of working parents, expert playcare for children with specific emotional, educational and family needs, and free mobile play events in which parents were encouraged to participate.

Trish Hickey, play officer at Youth and Family Support, said: "The success of the venture is confirmed by the sheer numbers of children who attended, so we know that we have hit on something.

"Now we need to consult the children themselves to see what can be improved on, dropped or introduced so they can get the most out of next year's play and care schemes.

"We are very keen for the care and play schemes to continue, and for the children to take a part in the moulding of their education and development."

Some outside agency funding has already been secured for the schemes to continue next summer.