More than £1.5 million has been pledged to help young children in Colchester's poorest areas get a better start in life.

The Government-funded Sure Start programme was launched earlier this year in the Greenstead and St Anne's parts of town.

The project gets different organisations working together to help the families of 730 children aged between newborn and four-years-old in the two estates.

The programme has been awarded a grant of £1.7 million.

From now until 2005, the cash will be used to fund a number of projects including a make-over for a toddlers' playground and boosting transport.

Julie Powell, who leads on Sure Start for Colchester Primary Care Trust, said: "We've now been awarded £1,672,598 to spend on services and a Sure Start team between now and April 2005 which means we can now get on with the business of making a real difference to families with young children in St Anne's and Greenstead."

Published Friday November 1, 2002

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