A NEW centre designed to give children a flying start in life is taking shape in Milford Haven.

The Meads Flying Start Centre, sited next to the Meads Infants School, is due to open during the summer term.

Flying Start is a Welsh Government initiative which aims to give children in deprived areas the best possible start before they begin school.

The centre will offer morning and afternoon playgroup sessions for children from the age of two, who will afterwards transfer to existing nearby schools.

“The Meads building is the first new Flying Start centre to be built in the county and is part of a programme to create a series of similar centres in key areas of the County,” said Councillor Sue Perkins, cabinet member for children’s services.

“Research has shown that one of the best ways of combating the negative influences of poverty and deprivation is to give children extra support before they start school”.

The project has been jointly funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government through its Flying Start programme.

There is already a Flying Start Centre at Pennar near Pembroke Dock with hopes of creating a third at Merlin’s Bridge.