UP to 70 jobs could be created in the region, thanks to a major new childcare initiative.

The posts will be created in Hartlepool if funding from the Government's Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative (NNI) is approved for six new day nursery projects.

The NNI aims to create 45,000 new full day care places nationally.

Locally, it is being co-ordinated by the Hartlepool Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, which has been allocated substantial funding with the target of creating 250 new full day care places for new babies to four-year-olds by March 2004.

Although full details of the six proposed projects are not available, they are likely to centre on the Park and Jackson wards, the Marina, the Headland and the southern area of town.

The partnership is targeting school leavers and colleges running childcare training courses.

However, it is also particularly keen to recruit men, over 40s, people from ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities.

For further information about the scheme, contact (01429) 523729.