Television viewers have been urged to help an educational support group for struggling young mothers to win a funding battle.

The Hanley Community Learning Group is bidding for a £50,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

It wants the money to provide a programme of family classes at The Hope Centre, on Garth Street.

If funding is secured, the group will set up a five-month run of weekly workshops to help struggling young mothers and their families develop essential skills.

But the organisation must first win a People's Millions television vote against a community project in Birmingham.

And tutor Liz Boggiano, from Bignall End, who will teach the classes, has now urged people to tune in to ITV's Central News from 6pm on Tuesday to do their bit to help bring the funding to the city.

"I think it is important for the money to come here to the Potteries," the 52-year-old said.

"I work predominantly in areas around Hanley, Bucknall and Chell Heath, and unfortunately there is not a lot of help available for the underprivileged families there.

"We are hoping that this funding can be a starting point and that afterwards we will be able to develop the group further."

Young families involved in the workshops, some of whom will be referred to the group via the Sure Start scheme, will take part in digital photography classes and talks on issues such as healthy eating.

As part of the service, the group will provide free crèche care for the children, as well as transport to and from the Hope Centre and use of digital cameras.

Liz explained: "The idea is to boost confidence and give the families hope for the future.

"A lot of industry has been lost in the area, but it's about helping them realise there can be opportunities for our children."

The People's Millions grant scheme will provide an equal share of £250,000 lottery funding to five schemes across the West Midlands throughout next week.

One project in the region will go head-to-head with another on four consecutive nights to win £50,000.

A fifth scheme will win funding as the overall runner-up.

Hanley Community Learning Group co-organiser Fleur Parker, aged 37, from Trentham, said: "We want to deliver free services and training for young families in some of the most deprived parts of Stoke-on-Trent.

"We'll be helping people to create art. They'll be taking digital pictures of things that show the aspirations they have for their families, themselves and their children.

"We'd then have the photos displayed in local galleries and Sure Start centres."

People can now register their email address and phone number on the People's Millions website so a reminder to vote can be sent out.

Voting lines will open at 9am on the day and close at 12am.