The National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and the Pre-School Learning Alliance are running a Play to Learn course for parents and carers in Penhill and Pinehurst.

The free course aims to teach parents and teachers a greater appreciation of the importance of play in their children's lives.

The course starts on Tuesday, November 9 and runs every Tuesday for five weeks from 10am 11.30am at the Pinehurst People's Centre. A crche will be provided for the children.

Shena Price, a children's services practitioner at the NSPCC's North Swindon Centre, said: "The course will be very hands-on and with a Christmas theme.

"By the end of the five weeks those on the course should have a greater understanding of why children need to play and why they do the things they do."

Closing date is October 19. To register and for more information please contact either Shena Price on (01793) 705810 or Melanie Ward on (01793) 611145.