PROFESSOR Robert Winston in Child of our time this week told us that children learn social skills by the time they are three years old, before they start school. What a timely statement to make when it seems the Vale Council wants to pull the plug on funding for the Gibbonsdown Children's Centre.

The work this centre does is invaluable in what is one of the most socially disadvantaged areas in the Vale of Glamorgan. Yes, the centre provides day care at a price that those on low income can afford, enabling them to go out to work or to further their education, but this is only the tip of much more community involvement.

There's a playgroup, weekly play and chat groups for parents and toddlers, an after school club and a holiday play scheme, all teaching children the importance of interacting socially with other people.

There's also a free book borrowing service and training courses for parents in a variety of subjects, with creche facilities. The staff are trained to spot behavioural problems, neglect and abuse and work closely with social services. The staff promote health living with all age groups by encouraging play and sport and links with the local fruit and vegetable co-operative.

The grant given by the council opens gateways to other funding from such organisations such as Children In Need, but without support from the local authority, these grants would not be accessible and the centre will have to close.

Surely a council that was considering £350,000 for a golf tournament and that is paying thousands to refurbish an office for the chairman in the spruced-up town hall, could find £53,000 in the budget for children who need a good start in life.

Claire Salter,

Solva Close,

Barry.