FAMILIES in Neyland will soon get a helping hand with parenting and child care, thanks to £81,000 funding from the Welsh Government.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been awarded the money to expand the government’s Flying Start programme into Neyland West.

Flying Start offers free part-time quality childcare for two to three-year olds, parenting support, an enhanced health visitor service, and help for early language development.

Its aim is to give children the best possible start in life, by helping them before they start going to school.

The funding will enable the council to provide a childcare facility, a venue for group work and office space for Flying Start staff.

The service is already offered in Pembroke, Monkton, Pembroke Dock, Pennar, and Milford Haven.

Last month, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, announced £6.9 million of capital funding for Flying Start, to help families in some of Wales’ most disadvantaged areas.

“Having visited Flying Start facilities across Wales and talked to the families who have benefitted from the help and support provided by our dedicated staff, the huge impact the programme is having on people’s lives is clear to see,” she said.

“I am delighted to recognise the hard work and commitment shown by our Flying Start professionals and announce £6.9 million to help continue to give children from our most deprived communities the best possible start in life.

“This funding will support 40 new capital projects across Wales to ensure we have the facilities we need to meet our commitment to double the number of children benefitting from Flying Start to 36,000 by 2016.”

A spokesman for the council said eligible for the new programme will be invited to an information day, the date and location of which will be announced soon.