Community workers helping families in Didcot are trying to contact dads -- young dads, old dads, stepfathers, even grandads.

When the Didcot Umbrella Project organised a session with the Oxfordshire Playbus, in conjunction with with Parents and Children Together, there were plenty of children -- but no dads.

Community development worker Di Chesterman said: "When we talk to fathers, they tell us that they would welcome a chance to talk about parenting and family problems and get together to exchange views and socialise, but the truth is that they are shy about coming forward."

The Umbrella Project is involved with a range of community and family groups in the town which Mrs Chesterman said tended to mainly involve mothers and their children.

"However, dads tell us that they also want to make a contribution to the lives of their children and want society to recognise their role," she said. "We would welcome interest from older fathers and grandfathers."

A small group of fathers who attended an Umbrella Project barbecue recently were keen to start a group, although Mrs Chesterman said she wanted to hear from more fathers to form a steering group.

Call the project on 01235 811204 for more information.