Organisers say the impact of fathers on their children's lives is often underestimated, and the centre aims to give advice and support to men.

The charity Children North East will manage the project from their offices in Durham, employing three staff.

The government has provided �212,00 over two years to fund the centre, which will open in January.

'Ground breaking'

Roger Olley, from Children North East, said: "We are not anti-mother, we are pro-father.

"The value of fathers to children and the impact on children's lives has been underestimated. In the early days, looking at things like baby bonding and attachment, the people who did those studies ignored fathers and didn't recognise that fathers were involved with children and were important.

"Children are centre of everything we do. We need it now because fathers have the opportunity to be much more involved in their children's lives."

Phillip Hodgson, a psychotherapist who deals with men's issues, said the centre was "ground breaking stuff".

He said: "I think its marvellous. It is time for these things to come forward.

"The centre is about encouraging men to express themselves in a way that helps them become part of a vibrant family system."