CHILDREN whose parents are separated or have split up are being targeted in a new initiative by church leaders.

A so-called Child Contact Centre is due to open next month in Congleton, the first such centre in the area.

The project is the brainchild of the Trinity Methodist Church, and will be based at Westwood House, the minister's former house in Wagg Street, which is being earmarked for outreach work.

The aim of the centre is to enable children of separated parents to meet the other parent or family members in a comfortable, neutral environment.

The centre has won the official backing of the Court Welfare Service, and centre organiser Denis Hagon is looking for a team of 24 volunteers to run the Saturday morning sessions on a six-week rota.

''There are more and more families who are separated, and we want to provide them with some positive support,'' said Mr Hagon.

''Sometimes it is difficult for such families to arrange contact with their children, and the centre will be somewhere neutral they can meet.''

The centre is due to open on February 6, and more volunteers are needed to run the 9.30am to 1pm sessions.

A training session for would-be volunteers is to be be held at Westwood House from 9am to mid-day on January 23

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