ANOTHER 188 childcare places are coming to the borough through the New Opportunities Fund.

The latest award means that nine local schools and clubs will share £127,373 to pay for the places.

So far the Fund has provided £360,000 to create 660 childcare places, with the support of Bury Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

The successful applicants are:

Funtactic Out of Hours Club, Ainsworth: £13,298 for 32 new places.

Radcliffe Hall Primary School, Radcliffe: £2,069 for 16 new places.

Helping Hands, St Mary's, Hawkshaw: £15,906 for 24 new places.

Mosses Community Centre, Bury: £1,299 for ten new places.

Peel Brow Primary School, Ramsbottom: £15,958 for 24 new places.

Greenmount Out of School Club, Bury: £19,580 for 24 new places.

Oscars, Woodbank Primary School, Bury: £19,458 for 24 new places.

Jay Jays Ltd., Lowercroft Primary School: £31,911 for 32 new places.

Mrs Atkins Childminder, Whitefield: £743 for two new places.

The New Opportunities Fund was set up in 1998 as a UK-wide distributor of National Lottery money.

Karen Blackledge, of Bury Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, said: "Since the programme began, we have been promoting the possibilities of bringing extra funding to the borough.

"The result has been some successful bids and a dramatic increase in the number of childcare places that parents and carers can take advantage of.

"There is no doubt that there is increased demand by those who are working and seeking provision, especially outside of normal school hours and over holiday periods."

She added: "We believe there are more opportunities yet for childcare providers, whether they are in the public or private sector, to obtain additional funding. If they are looking to start new childcare schemes, or have plans to expand present ones, then the likelihood is that they will qualify."

There are only two more bidding rounds before funding ceases next year. For details, phone 253 6436.