CHILDcare provision on Teesside has received a boost of more than £500,000.

Work starts today on a £580,000, 80-place nursery at Coulby Newham.

Due to open in September, the nursery is one of eight planned across Middlesbrough.

Coulby ward councillor Paul Thompson, executive member of the council cabinet for education, said: "Through Sure Start and Neighbourhood Nurseries programmes, we are making a big investment in providing good quality childcare in Middlesbrough. That will help parents return to training, education or work, and also provides a good start for children."

Part of the Government's Neighbourhood Nurseries initiative, the Coulby Newham nursery will be run by the Centre for British Teachers.