POSITIVE parenting courses have been launched across South Bucks to give hard-pressed parents support and help in the difficult task of bringing up their children.

The six-week programme, run by health visitors, aims to improve relationships between parents and their children.

The co-ordinator of the scheme is health visitor Chris Petford, who pioneered a similar programme in East Berkshire, which proved a huge success.

She is now based in the Hughenden Valley Surgery, High Wycombe.

Chris said: "There is a lot of pressure on parents in the modern world and a lot of conflicting messages.

"The courses aim to boost the self-confidence and self-esteem of both parents and children and above all, to make parenting more fun."

New courses begin at different venues in South Bucks in February, May and October this year.

Each course includes a parenting handbook and costs £10, with some financial help for those who need it.

They cover children in two age groups: 18 months to five years and five-year-olds to 11.

Anyone interested should contact their health visitor or school nurse.