A NATIONAL children's charity based in Huddersfield has spelled out its ambitious plans.

The National Children's Centre is planning a £1.5m refurbishment of its town centre base at Brian Jackson House in New North Parade.

The building is named after pioneering educational reformer Brian Jackson, who founded the NCC 28 years ago.

Since then, the charity has been helping children and families overcome a whole host of problems.

Mr Jackson, who died in 1983, was dedicated to giving youngsters a chance when society may have turned its back, such as in the case of young offenders or those who had dropped out of education.

Today, more than 30 people work at the NCC keeping his dream alive.

The charity runs projects to advise teenage mothers and fathers and help disadvantaged children.

It also runs a furniture donation scheme that gives unwanted chairs, tables and other household items a very grateful home.

The NCC is also active throughout the UK, sharing information and expertise and lobbying the Government.

Over the next two years the charity is planning to raise £1.5m to help it refurbish its headquarters and continue to help even more people.

Already plans to raise the charity's profile are taking shape. Chief executive Simon Cale says he hopes that over the next two years the facilities and services that the NCC offers will be massively improved.

"These are exciting times for everyone involved with the NCC. We believe we can really start to move forward in the next couple of years," he said.

"We normally have about 10 projects running simultaneously. They could be anything from advising teenage mums on how to cope to helping children who have been excluded from school get a qualification.

"A lot of the work we do is about turning youngsters' energy into positive energy they can use in the correct manner," said Mr Cale.

Bob Faley, a trustee of the charity, says he was amazed when he discovered all the good work the NCC had done over the years and he was determined to get involved.

"What we want to achieve is to give people a stepping stone or a bit of hope. Some of the things we offer may seem simple, but they can make a world of difference," he said.

"In the past we have not really publicised ourselves very well but that is something we are looking to change. We think there are lots of people who have no idea what we do here but we are working hard to change that," said Mr Faley.

"The NCC has made a huge difference in so many people's lives - and we are going to carry on doing that for a long time to come.

"Anyone who thinks they could help us in any way - from donating money to simply time or furniture - we urge them to get in touch."

If you think you can help the NCC phone it on 01484 519988 or visit the website www.nccuk.org.uk