The Cove centre in Sysonby Street is a £500,000 one-stop shop for parents and pre-school children which brings together services such as libraries, health, family services and housing.

The name was the suggestion of eight-year-old Katie Thompson and stands for Centre of Vision and Enthusiasm. The other centres will be based in Dalby Road and Fairmead.

Each will offer a wide range of activities and services from parenting courses, play sessions and a toy library to child and family health support and training and employment support.

Ronan Browne, neighbourhood regeneration manager for Melton Council, said the joint project with the county council and other organisations including the police was in everyone's interests and would make a difference.

He said: "It's a very efficient way of providing a wide range of services and allows us to be more creative, but it also belongs to the Egerton estate and will really benefit local people."

The council has recruited City legends Steve Walsh and Muzzy Isset as ambassadors for the new centres and they will be in Melton on a weekly basis working with youth groups and running football coaching sessions.

They told the Melton Times: "We're both from estates like this and haven't forgotten our roots. We've been fortunate in our careers and genuinely want to put something back and help point young people in the right direction."

Newly elected Young Mayor Tom North added: "I believe these centres will make a difference to young people for years to come."

At the launch day on Monday local families were able to find out about services, see demonstrations of what will be on offer and take part in activities such as circus skills and pumpkin carving.

Find out what local people make of the centre in Thursday's Melton Times.