SOUTHAMPTON dads showed off the soccer skills to Saints' heroes Matthew Oakley and Gary Monk at a special event held by Sure- Start Weston.

Fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and uncles of youngsters aged from nought to four in the Weston area of the city are being urged take part in a five-a-side football competition to launch a campaign to encourage men to become more involved in the project.

SureStart Weston is a government-funded initiative which supports families with young children. It aims to achieve significant and lasting improvements to the educational, health and emotional well-being of the children.

A recent study of the scheme, based at Foxcott Close, revealed more men needed to get involved.

Anne Davies, chairman of the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, said: "We decided to organise a series of activities to encourage local dads, grandfathers, stepfathers and uncles to get involved in the project. By inviting them along to this launch event we are hoping they will find out more about the services SureStart Weston has to offer and end up using these services.

"We will be organising more events on Saturdays and during the evening for men to come along to. We will be listening to the sort of activities they are interested in doing and working with them to see if we can provide what they want."

For details of forthcoming events contact SureStart Weston on 023 8043 7866.