The city council has secured around �4m in funding to establish 12 centres on Wearside by March 2006.

Each site will offer services to young children, parents and carers.

The events, the first of which takes place at New Silksworth Infant School on Monday, is a chance for people to learn about the centres.

The Children's Centre project is looking at ways to improve the lives of children and young people.

The sites in Sunderland will be developed by Sunderland early Years and Childcare Team, Sure Start, the local authority and Teaching Primary Healthcare Trust.