Building work at a North Oxford children's centre which is next to a local primary school is now well under way.

The £458,000 project, alongside Cutteslowe Primary School, will mean a range of new services for children aged under five and their families in the Cutteslowe, Jericho and Wolvercote areas.

The centre, in Wren Road, is expected to open in August. Its services will include an early-years drop-in centre, family support and parental outreach, links to child and family health services and links with Jobcentre Plus.

A new foundation stage classroom at the school is also being built, and toilets will also be improved.

Alterations to the school's existing foundation stage classroom are being made to provide the children's centre with two multi-purpose rooms and a consulting room, as well as toilets and nappy-changing areas.

Darrell Wood, the school's headteacher, who is also head of the new centre, said: "The services have already been up and running for a year, but with the new building we will be able to roll them out properly.

"We will now be able to work with families and young children to deliver a wide range of services in a comfortable and appropriate setting."

Helly Barker, the extended services co-ordinator at the centre, said: "Families will be able to use the centre as a drop-in centre, and it will hopefully provide health visitor services, so they do not have to go to Summertown or Jericho.

"It will be a big boost for the community."

Louise Chapman, the county council's cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "Parents will be able to get information on all services available to them, whether they need advice on health issues or on finding a job."

City councillor Jean Fooks added: "It will complement the provision at the Cutteslowe Community Centre, in what is a significantly deprived part of the city."

The work is being carried out thanks to funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.