Dads are to be targeted in Thornbury - in a drive to improve parenting.

Everything from coping with naughty toddlers to the dangers of drug abuse will be tackled by an innovative scheme at St Margaret's Church which aims to support the area's parents.

Reverend Paul Hackwood, who hatched the plan, said he believed the project was the first of its type in the Bradford district.

He said: "I got the idea after talking to a woman whose son had drug problems and didn't know where to turn.

"Often it can be hard for parents, especially dads, if they didn't have a father who played an active role in their growing up.

"Many fathers still leave most of the caring side of parenting to the mother.

"Parents won't always know how to deal with a naughty child or how to help a child who is frightened."

He added: "There will be something for all parents and I'm planning to do a course myself."

Mr Hackwood, who has two young children, said a family worker would be appointed by the church.

The Thornbury Family and Children Project will also launch support groups and hold drop-in sessions.

The church has worked closely with social services to devise the plan, which is due to start at the church in Leeds Old Road in May.

So far £52,000 has been raised to finance the project which includes a donation of £3,270 from the Lloyds TSB Foundation received this week.

Work starts on the new Thornbury Centre with a ground-breaking ceremony on Sunday, February 15.

The £2.5 million centre will replace the existing centre in Leeds Old Road and will include a library, caf, and training and crche facilities.

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