PLANS are under way for a learning centre that teaches children to speak Mandarin.

Ming Fu, the owner of Mister Fu's Chinese restaurant, Preston New Road, Blackburn, is at the forefront of the initiative where Mandarin and tai-chi will be taught to children as young as three.

Mandarin is the world's most widely-spoken language, with 500million more speakers (885million) than English and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

Mr Fu said: "Chinese children learn English and there are only certain schools in Blackburn that teach Mandarin. That is why I'm so keen to start this centre. Mandarin is the future."

St Wilfrid's High School and Tehcnology College, in Duckworth Street, will be the venue for the centre, which is due to open in September.

David Mehers, assistant headteacher said: "It is the school's mission to support the community and the language is often not recognised.

"We are extending the school's agenda by getting involved with other groups and the cultural awareness will be good for the area."

There was a Chinese centre in Mill Hill in the early 1980, but nothing since and Mr Fu said he was eager to change this.

He said he hoped the centre will be successful and that it will become an accredited subject with formal exams in the future.

The father-of-four has been to local schools including Witton Park, Audley, Cherry Tree Nursery and Pleckgate, to talk about the language.

Mr Fu has no funding and is relying on donations from local businesses and the council to fund the scheme.

Peter Morgan, strategic director for children's services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We always welcome ideas which could help promote family learning through our schools. We are now consulting with the local Chinese community and the school about the possibility of introducing Mandarin lessons."

There are currently four teachers in the Blackburn area working on the programme.

The centre will be open every Sunday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. There will be a small fee for children to attend.