BLAENAU Gwent AM Alun Davies has praised a children’s service in the region as “a shining example” of support offered to families in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales.

There are currently 1,071 youngsters involved in the Welsh Government’s Flying Start programme in Brynithel, which involves midwives, health visitors, childcare workers and others working together.

Visiting the town’s Flying Start hub The Labour AM said: “I was very impressed with the hub at Brynithel.

“The facility is superb and work they do in supporting children and their parents is second to none.

“The staff there are doing exactly what was envisaged when the programme was first developed, working with children and parents to offer support with quality childcare, an enhanced health visiting service and access to parenting programmes.

“This programme has gone from strength to strength, dealing with some difficult issues when it comes to breaking the cycle of poverty, with more children being helped now than ever before.

“The Brynithel hub is a shining example of this programme working in practise and making a real difference to the community it serves.”