HUNDREDS of nursery places have been created across the North-East by the latest round of National Lottery grants.

The New Opportunity Fund handouts will be used to extend existing childcare schemes, as well as setting up projects offering nursery and out-of-school places.

The largest grant for the region was awarded to Redcar and Cleveland Local Education Authority, which received £164,576 to build a 40-place nursery in the grounds of Beech Grove Primary School, South Bank.

The council also received another £96,712 to start a childcare centre in a former NHS clinic in Dormanstown.

In Darlington, the borough council has been awarded £55,980 to create a 41-place nursery in the grounds of Darlington Railway Museum.

The Kids and Co nursery, in North Road, will have 30 places paid for by the Lottery money which comes from the Building Neighbourhood Nurseries fund.

The nursery, which is on a British Heritage site, will also cater for babies and will offer creche and holiday care.

Sharon Quincey, the nursery manager said: "We are thrilled to receive this funding. Kids and Co will be well located to serve children from a large number of Darlington wards."

In Middlesbrough, two nurseries on the campuses of the town's college of further education will be refurbished at a cost of £93,000, creating an additional 50 places.

In Northumberland, the family centre at the Coquet Early Excellence Centre, in Morpeth, will get 20 extra nursery places.

The extra places are aimed particularly at parents who are returning to work or training after having a family.

A new baby room, reception and office will be created at Derwentside Leisure, in Stanley, County Durham, thanks to an £11,045 grant. The money will be used to renovate empty rooms in the leisure centre.

In Sunderland, 80 childcare places will be created, 35 of which will be funded by the lottery.

The places will be available at Tavistock House Day Nursery, in the city, which works with children up to five.

Baroness Jill Pitkeathley, chairwoman of the New Opportunities Fund, said: "These grants are paving the way for the creation of new childcare places by investing in much needed buildings.

"The grants demonstrate the fund's continuing commitment to backing community-led, quality nursery provision that directly benefits children and their families."