PLANS for a new £17,500 children's centre in Great Wakering have been approved by Essex County Council.

The new centre, at Great Wakering primary school, in the High Street, is part of the council's children's centres programme, which created a similar centre at Doggetts Primary School, Rochford.

The centres host breakfast and after-school clubs and help and advice for parents.

They are part of a Government initiative to help support young children and their families in the community.

Two ground-floor classrooms at the school will be adapted to house the centre. The public would also be able to use some facilities.

Another classroom and a music room will be refurbished under the scheme, which will also include two new parking bays and the removal of a redundant temporary classroom.

Work has started and should be finished in October.