A cooked breakfast and better employment prospects are among the benefits promised by the organisers of a support group for dads in Blackbird Leys, Oxford.

The creators of Dad's Zone have appealed for more fathers to bring their children to a weekly two-hour meet-up, which is aimed at improving family relationships.

They said the group was an inexpensive way for fathers of all kinds to spend time with their children, whether they lived with them or not.

Mikko Enticknap, manager of Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre in Cuddesdon Way, said dads could make friends and find out more about vocational courses and getting job references at the scheme, which runs between 10am and noon on Saturdays.

Children can also make use of play equipment - and everyone is offered a cooked breakfast for a 50p entrance fee per person.

Mr Enticknap said: "The purpose of the group is to give fathers a space to meet up with their children and play together - and also to support other dads.

"We normally get about seven or eight dads along. We have got a couple of chefs and they like to cook the other dads' breakfast.

"It's a very welcoming, friendly group with all sorts of different dads from different walks of life."

Mr Enticknap wants to improve on the weekly turnout at the group, which was formed in 2005. He said: "I know there are dads out there who can benefit from the group and if the group has more dads, it will have a more vibrant atmosphere."

John Terry, 37, from Warburg Crescent on the estate, cooks breakfasts while at the Dad's Zone with his 14-year-old daughter and godson. He said: "There is a good community spirit. It's a secure environment, which means all the dads can relax because the kids are not going to run off and get hurt.

"I think half the dads we have got there have been dubious because a lot of things like this have started in Oxford and then stopped - but we are here to stay. The more fathers we can get the better and the more activities we can do."

Activities already lined up include an Easter egg hunt, a healthy eating initiative and a day out swimming session. For more information, call 01865 773263.