YOUNGSTERS across the region are to benefit from new nursery places after grants worth about £1.7m were announced today by the New Opportunities Fund.

Eight schemes in the North-East will receive money, which includes £664,000 for Stockton Borough Council to build, extend and refurbish five nurseries in the borough.

The investment will see 340 day-care places created in Stockton, Thornaby and Billingham.

Dave Adams, strategic service manager at Sure Start Stockton, said: "The grant will help make a significant difference to people living in the wards of Roseworth, Milehouse, Portrack and Tilery, Victoria, St Aidan's and Stainsby, who will all benefit with the development of new nurseries and other support services within their local communities."

Pre-school provision in Gateshead has been boosted by two awards totalling £558,787. The grants were given to Gateshead Borough Council to create 156 nursery places in the wards of Chopwell and Bensham.

An unused classroom at Chopwell Primary School will be refurbished to provide 30 childcare places in an area where there is currently no day-care available.

The second award will see the creation of the 126-place Bensham Grove Neighbourhood Nursery on the site of an existing local authority nursery.

Other schemes to receive awards include:

* Redcar and Cleveland Local Education Authority - £86,027 for 40 new places.

* Statebourne Nurseries, in Sunderland - £90,000 for 50 new places.

* Sunderland Local Education Authority - £142,704 for 32 new places.