A BRISTOL group has welcomed Government plans to give grandparents stronger rights to "step in" and help children when parents break up.

Members of the Bristol Grandparents Association Support Group, who work towards grandchildren's voices being heard, say they are pleased with the move.

The Government is setting up a Childhood and Families Ministerial Task Force, chaired by David Cameron, to identify cost-effective policies.

Nick Clegg said: "This Government believes that we strengthen our society by giving people the power to make choices over their lives.

"We believe in the informal networks between people that provide families with support, as well as the strong sense of community identity that helps make children feel secure. So it should come as no surprise that this agenda is being driven from the heart of government."

Jane Jackson, a spokesperson for the Bristol branch of the national charity, said: "The fact that over one million children are denied contact with their grandparents needs to be out there in the public arena. If I said that one million children were being affected by something, there would be uproar, so why is it that this particular issue is not out there.

"I have been contacted now by over 90 grandparents in Bristol and the surrounding area, support is given by phone, email or meeting with one another every two months."

For more information, call Mrs Jackson on 07773 258270, 0117 9246496, or go to www.grandparents-