Hackney Council has become one of 50 "trailblazer" local authorities leading the way in the nationwide roll-out of Sure Start, a pioneering initiative aimed at giving high quality pre-school support to children under four and their parents.

The Council's local Sure Start programme kicks off on September 23 with a launch day at the Ann Tayler Centre, 1-13 Triangle Road, Westgate Street, E8.

It is hoped that more than 100 parents and children will converge on the centre for a day of attractions and events including a balloon race, a bouncy castle and a series of performances from children's entertainment group the Albion Kids Show.

The event will be opened by EastEnders actress Lindsey Coulson. Lindsey, who played "Carol", is a Hackney resident and recently gave birth to her second child.

The Sure Start initiative is a £3 million programme which aims to give the best posible start in life for young children through a range of support services including home visiting, speech and language therapy, family and anti-natal support and bi-lingual teaching. In addition there is a community nursing strand and welfare rights advice.

The initiative targets include improving children's ability to learn, helping to nurture their social developmental skills and at the same time strengthen families and communities.

Welcoming Sure Start, Councillor Ian Peacock, Chair of the Education Committee and Councillor Isaac Leibowitz, its Vice Chair, said in a joint statement: "This is a marvellous example of how the community, together with the council and backed by government, can help make such a difference to the life opportunities of local children."

And Elizabeth Reid, Director of Education said: "Both Hackney Council and the community are determined to make this initiative a real success for local pre-schoolers."