A NEW childcare centre in Southampton will be a godsend for working mums and dads.

The Trust Taplins Centre in Millbrook opened its doors this week to provide much-needed day care places for NHS staff and families living in the area.

Organisers hope the 100-place nursery at the Western Community Hospital site will help working parents and those wishing to return to work.

At least half the places will be available to people living in the Millbrook and Redbridge areas.

Debbie Folkes, project manager for Southampton City Primary Care Trust, said: "This is an exciting new facility offering affordable childcare for working parents and people wishing to return to work.

"The idea is to help people who are already working to manage and maintain a good work-life balance.

"It will also help people who aren't working to attend courses which may help them back to work - possibly in the NHS itself."

There will also be a 20-place creche available for people training at the specialist Trust Taplins Learning Centre, which is due to open after Easter.

The facilities are part of a £3.3m project funded by the NHS, Outer Shirley Regeneration Project, Neigh-bourhood Nurseries Initiative and Sure Start.

The learning centre will provide opportunities for local people and NHS staff.

These include parenting workshops, childminding training and business start-up advice, training for early years childcare and education, NHS and social care employment workshops, first aid and after-school club training.

In particular, more training will be provided for people to work in childcare - in which Southampton has a shortage of trained and qualified staff.

Information on nursery places is available from Sam Hollins on 023 8047 5400 ext 6001 or on learning opportunities from Amanda Taylor on ext 6006.