A Kempston mother who suffered from postnatal depression is urging new mums not to suffer in silence.

Elaine Yorke, 38, found a "lifeline" in Pear Tree Sure Start Children's Centre, in Balliol Road, Kempston, after feeling isolated and like she "had nowhere to go" following the birth of her first daughter Chloe five years ago.

When her second daughter Niamh, now aged four, was born she sought help for her postnatal depression and signed up for courses where she could learn more about parenting and take her daughters along to sessions where they could make new friends and learn through play.

She said: "Sure Start Children's Centres are a fantastic place for families.

"Attending the children's centre has helped me recover from postnatal depression, given me the confidence to be a better parent and strengthened the relationship I have with my daughters.

"I used to struggle with getting the girls to eat their dinner and get ready for nursery on time. Staff at the children's centre suggested I introduce a star chart to reward good behaviour."

She still attends Pear Tree Sure Start Children's Centre with her partner Anthony and her three daughters Chloe, Niamh and Alexis, who is 16months old.

She added: "It's been a great success and things are a lot less stressful in the Yorke household these days.

"The children's centre has given me of new lease in life and I would urge every parent in Beds to go and discover for themselves how they might benefit."

The Kempston children's centre is one of more than 3,000 Sure Start Centres that have been set up in England by the Government over the last ten years to provide childcare, a family health service and advice on parenting.

Run by children's charity Spurgeons, they also offer specialist services for families, like speech therapy, healthy eating advice and help to find work and training opportunities.

Jane Smyth, the centremanager, said: "We have been open for just over two years and it has taken me by surprise how many people come from all over, not just Kempston, with some mothers taking two buses in order to reach us.

"We have around 60 parents coming in on an average week, but any parents that need a bit of extra support can pop down, we're very friendly."

At the end of February the centre is extending its services and will start classes in Wootton and Stewartby too.