A STATE-OF-THE-ART children's centre is set to be built in Elmbridge.

Gloucestershire County Council wants to build the new Longelm Children's Centre on the Elmbridge Infant School site in Elmbridge Road.

The proposed scheme, costing £787,000, is part of a number of projects in and around Gloucester to improve facilities for children and school pupils.

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire County Council said: "This will replace the current children's centre located at Longlevens school.

"Services for the new centre will typically be community drop-in, and training and meeting facilities.

"There will also be sessional day care including creche, access to full day care, family support and health care services and an office base for staff providing services throughout the area."

She said the centre would also provide a base for Elmscroft Preschool.

She said: "The preschool is currently in a rented community facility.

"The new accommodation will provide a purpose built 26-place preschool.

"This is not an increase in numbers for the setting but it will allow the setting to deliver the free entitlement of childcare to parents of three and four-year-olds more flexibly allowing parents to access a service that may allow them to take up employment opportunities."

Anne Palmer, who sits on the current playschool's committee and sends her two-year-old Aaron to sessions, said parents were very pleased with the plans.

She said: "It's just going to make a world of difference for us.

"We currently use the local community centre, and although we have a great relationship with them, to have our own purpose-built premises will make such a big difference.

"Everyone's very pleased."

The plans have been sent to members of the Gloucester City Council planning department for consultation and are available to view online at www.gloucester.gov.uk/planning.