CHILDREN across the region are to benefit from more than £2m of National lottery cash for extra learning activities out of school.

The New Opportunities Fund has announced that dozens of projects in the North-East and North Yorkshire will receive "good causes" lottery grants of between £10,000 and £146,000.

Thousands of children will enjoy more out-of-school-hours clubs, involving projects from drama and tennis to art and cookery.

The awards will particularly benefit children with special needs to develop their literacy, numeracy, confidence and social skills, through learning activities ranging from music and film-making to ceramics and information technology.

New Opportunities Fund chief executive Stephen Dunmore said: "This is a big announcement for out-of-hours childcare nationally, and in the North-East.

"It will substantially lift childcare provision in our communities."

In Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, Fence Houses YMCA has been awarded £38,500 to create 25 after-school and 25 holiday places for children aged between three and 16.

The project will cater for children from the special needs school and the local area.

Karen Bloomfield, out-of-school care coordinator at the YMCA, said: "This is great news for the children and parents of Davenport school, and for the parents of the coalfields area.

"This funding will enable children to attend a much-needed childcare facility, especially as places are limited for special needs children.

"It will also help break down barriers and will be a positive step towards integrating all children together."

In North Yorkshire, Selby High School pupils will have access to a breakfast club, thanks to a grant of £26,200. A homework club will also help pupils with homework tasks, study skills, course work support and revision.

Hundreds of extra before, after-school and holiday places have been created in Whitby, York, Thirsk, and Ripon.