A NEW nursery was due to open in Burnley today.

Little Acorns, in the Sure Start Healthy Living Centre on Hurtley Street, will create 37 places for children and babies aged up to five. An outdoor play area is also being built.

The nursery is part of the Government's initiative to give every child a "sure start" in life by creating up to 900,000 childcare places for 1.6million children by 2004.

Minister for Children, Young People, and Families, Margaret Hodge said: "I wish Little Acorns every success. By giving children access to high quality care, early education and support, Sure Start is helping to improve their life chances. Good, affordable childcare also enables parents to take up work, education or training and this has a knock-on effect in reducing child poverty."

Director Peter Hindle said: "We are very excited about the nursery, which has been designed with the needs of local children in mind.."