A new one-stop shop for childcare and parenting could open in Maldon as soon as autumn next year.

Essex County Council is hoping to set up a children's centre in the town, providing day care, health services, Job Centre Plus and parental advice all under one roof.

It is thought the centre might take over from The Gables, in High Street, which was forced to scrap the majority of its family centre services during county council budget cuts in 2003.

A spokesman for the county council said discussions and negotiations were currently under way regarding various aspects of the plan and only limited information would be released at this stage.

Published Friday, November 19, 2004

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