Darlington is to receive more than £100,000 for out-of-school childcare.

The money is the borough's share of a £2.3m payout in the final round of grants from the New Opportunities Fund.

The money will help to create two childcare clubs and expand other facilities.

It will also be used for out-of- school childcare and holiday schemes that will provide more than 300 places for children aged three to 14.

Darlington Borough Council will receive £88,500 to create 249 childcare places.

The money will enable Darlington Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership to establish a new club and expand three. That will create 177 childcare places, providing before and after- school care and holiday care.

The Academy of Playcare Education and Training received £10,622, to be used to create 20 weekend places for children aged five to 12.

The academy will also launch a new club in the town.

Childcare company Tarka Ltd will establish 28 clubs and expand an existing one.

Councillor Stephen Harker, the council's cabinet member for education, said: "The extra money will prove invaluable to the whole community in helping parents and carers of young children to be able to afford good quality childcare, enabling them to remain in employment or to access new work and to take advantage of training opportunities."