Hundreds of children and parents turned out to mark the official openings of three new children’s centres in the district for under-fives.

The centres in Haworth, Silsden and Ilkley were opened by Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council’s executive member for children and young people.

Activities on offer as part of the celebrations included outdoor play, face-painting, balloon modelling and crafts.

The centres which were officially opened were Treetops – designed as a treehouse on stilts – in Rawdon Road, Haworth; Daisy Chain in Elliot Street, Silsden; and Little Lane in Ilkley.

Coun Berry said: “These new venues provide a lovely environment for the under-fives to learn through play and feedback from parents shows they are delighted with the centres.”

Chris Rollings, the Council’s children’s centre development officer for Keighley, said the Silsden and Ilkley centres had been open to families since September, with Haworth opening its doors in January.

She said: “They offer children and parents activities to support health and well-being, family support and outreach contact to families.”

There are 41 children's centres in the district now funded through the Council. They provide a host of services to families with under-fives, including family support, health services, breastfeeding support, smoking cessation, early years activities and employment and training advice. Examples of activities include baby massage or yoga, cook- and-eat sessions, toddler groups, parenting classes and early education for two-year-olds.

On Saturday, July 23, Coun Berry will open a children’s centre at St Margaret’s Church, Shipley Fields Road.

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