FATHERS in Southampton are being offered a personal tour of St Mary's stadium, the Saints' football ground while their kids are kept busy tackling a nearby climbing wall.

The free event has been organised by Hampshire-based charity Parentline Plus to mark Father's Day.

They hope the event scheduled for June 14 will encourage more dads to use the charity's family support services.

There will be a two-hour workshop between 4-6pm called Understanding children's/teenage behaviour'. After that the men will have the opportunity to tour Southampton FC's ground with their kids.

The charity is also urging dads to come along to a second workshop at the Calshot Activity Centre near Fawley, on Friday, June 15 between 5-7pm. Their kids will again have an opportunity to try out a climbing wall.

Volker Buck, senior parent support co-ordinator for Parentline Plus in Hampshire said: "Many parents find that when they do come along to our events, they really enjoy being able to chat to other parents, swap tips and ideas and generally have an opportunity to let off steam. We work with lots of mums but are really keen to encourage more dads to make use of our free services."

Parentline Plus, which has a centre in Eastleigh, regularly organises free parenting groups across Hampshire, covering a range of issues from teenage problems to bullying, drugs and sibling rivalry.

Children must be eight or over to try out the climbing wall and places must be booked in advance. To book a place on the above free sessions, or to find out more about services provided by Parentline Plus, call 023 8064 5900.