NORTH-EAST families will benefit from a major cash boost to create more childcare places in the region.

The New Opportunities Fund, the UK's biggest National Lottery distributor, has pledged the money to create 2,700 places at breakfast, after-school activity and homework clubs.

The grants, worth £1,162,563, bring the total money awarded to childcare facilities by the fund to the region at more than £9m.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's local education authority has been awarded £24,300 to provide a new out-of-school-hours club in Grangetown for children aged four to 11.

Phil McElwee, headteacher at Alderman William Jones Primary School, in Grangetown, said: "The money will let us keep fees low for parents to ensure as many children as possible can benefit.

"We can also buy good-quality play and storage equipment.

"This new provision means pupils will be able to start the day with a healthy snack and take part in organised activities, supervised by suitably qualified staff."

Darlington has been given more than £190,000 to create 119 after-school places, 101 before-school places and 131 holiday places.

Children aged between four to 16 in Hartlepool will benefit from the project, which will serve five schools with a total of 136 places.

Playgroup Network Ltd will create 40 before-school and 40 after-school places in Middlesbrough.

New Opportunities Fund chief executive Stephen Dunmore said: "This grant programme indicates the vital role of out-of-school-hours childcare provision for children and their families in the UK.

"The stimulation and fun afforded to children by the quality childcare projects supported by the fund is given added importance through the peace of mind which it represents to parents and their carers."

Other places in the region to benefit include Gateshead, Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland.