A MONTHLY group for dads and their youngsters welcomed first-time father MP Duncan Hames on Saturday.

Dad’s Little Explorers is a session run by the charity Barnado's in Kings Avenue, Corsham, and encourages fathers to enjoy time with their children.

Mr Hames, MP for the Chippenham constituency and father to 15-month-old Andrew, made history in the House of Commons last year when he became the first MP to carry a baby through the voting lobby.

He said: “I’ve previously visited the Barnardo’s nursery in Chippenham and the charity’s shop in Pewsham, but this is my first visit to a dads’ group.

“Having recently become a father myself, I can appreciate the need for any extra support and advice and I’m sure it makes it so much easier when dads have their own opportunity to enjoy dedicated time with their sons and daughters.”

Barnardo’s team leader Sarah Nelson added: “Most working dads don’t have an opportunity to spend much time with their children during the week, or they can feel intimidated when entering a room full of women here, so we wanted to provide their own session where they would just be surrounded by other dads.”