A new £1 million community centre is getting ready to open its doors.

The Oak Tree community centre, in Pond Field, Colchester, will provide a focus for residents of the Harwich Road and St Anne's area and a base for Sure Start, a Government initiative working with families with children aged under five.

The centre will host facilities such as creches, stay and play' sessions, parenting groups, welfare advice services, St Anne's forum meetings, older people's clubs and children's parties.

Margaret Kimberley, Colchester Council's portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said the centre will provide "an important facility that will benefit the lives of residents".

"We hope the funding and support we have given to the centre will bring the people together and they can enjoy spending time there as a community," she said.