THE latest phase of a project to provide childcare for the under-fours could be based in school grounds.

Sure Start is a Government initiative ensuring youngsters in deprived areas get the best start in life.

The latest area of Darlington to receive a grant to start a Sure Start project is Cockerton and Branksome, and the borough council hopes to set up the scheme at Mount Pleasant Primary School.

If the scheme wins approval, a building would be constructed in the grounds of the school to house the project.

Geoff Pennington, Darlington Borough Council's director of education, said: "The school is very supportive of the scheme and has had extensive discussions to develop a partnership working arrangement which is mutually beneficial to both the school and the Sure Start partnership."

Councillors will discuss the possibility of the school being used as a base for the project next week