Mr Weir said, 'The whole community feels for the families now that the men are away in Afghanistan. Nobody knows how long they are going to be away, so it is a strain on the families.'
Assistant play leader Nicky Lucking said the centre's playgroup is now more important than ever as the children are beginning to miss their fathers.
She said, 'We are very lucky to have this. Children really do need a routine, especially now. This at least stays the same for them.'
Play leader Karen Tidcome has found that some children are more affected by their fathers' absence than others. 'The older ones, the four-to five-year-olds, have said "My Dad has gone to war". A lot of them watch the television news, so we have to let them talk about it. Others are aware that their father has gone away, and that is as much as they know.'
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