WORK on a new children's centre being built in the north of York is coming on apace.

The new children's centre at New Earswick Primary School is now taking shape with new classrooms and community facilities all under one roof.

Head teacher Carole Farrar said: "It's really coming together.

"There's a massive new room for the early years and the lights have now been put in.

"There's a real sense now of how it's just going to be such a better learning environment for anyone coming into it."

There are eight primary schools across the city earmarked to have Sure Start Intergrated Children's Centres (ICC) by 2008.

Currently, there are three primary schools involved in becoming ICCs for the city.

Hob Moor has already been opened, while work is ongoing at Westfield, Clifton Green, and Tang Hall primaries.

Haxby Road, St Lawrence's, in Heslington Road, New Earswick, and Carr Infants and Juniors in Acomb have also been selected and are in the next wave of investments.

In February, The Press reported that the New Earswick school was appealing for parents and members of the local community to come forward and get involved with plans for the new centre.

Miss Farrar said: "The centre at New Earswick will provide a range of services for people in the locality, so it is important to have local people involved at the planning stage.

"We had a good response to that and more people are always welcome and anyone wanting to get involved can get in touch with me at the school."

She said there were "exciting times ahead" for the school and the local community as the plans come together.

There will be improved learning facilities for the children, a new community arts room and community library at the centre.

The New Earswick centre should be completed by September.

Sure Start is a Government programme which aims to help children, parents and communities by increasing the availability of childcare for all children, and by supporting parents.

Schools are being encouraged to stay open for longer, and to set up breakfast clubs, after school activities and holiday play schemes and the push for ICCs is part of that.

Anyone with ideas for the centre should phone Miss Farrar on 01904 768228.