A NEW centre offering childcare and education services is to be built in west Middlesbrough, thanks to a Government grant of almost £400,000.

The funding is the first of its kind to be given in the Tees Valley and will be used to create an Early Excellence Centre, in Whinney Banks, offering childcare during school holidays, evenings and weekends.

The centre, based at the local primary school, will offer childcare for youngsters aged up to 11 and will have an outside adventure play area and community room.

It will also offer parents who are looking for work training and support programmes, as well as the opportunity to borrow toys and other equipment.

The bid for the funding - which is part of the Government's National Childcare strategy aimed at disadvantaged areas - was made by Middlesbrough Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (MEYDCP).

Kate Robson, of MEYDCP, said: "We are delighted that the quality of the childcare services in Middlesbrough has been recognised, and we're looking forward to the challenge of developing additional quality services for the children and families of Middlesbrough."

Middlesbrough's executive member for education, Councillor Paul Thompson, said: "The centre will build on the excellent work done by schools and the New Deal for Communities in the area to help children get the best possible start in their early years. We're sure that this is an investment which will give us long-term dividends."