More than 7,000 childcare places are being created

Thousands of families across the region are set to benefit from the �3,972,420 package, which will be used for more out of school places.

The cash is part of a UK-wide �27m package, announced on Thursday by the National Lottery-supported New Opportunities Fund.

More than 7,000 childcare places at 24 different centres will be made available, along with 700 new jobs.

Michelle McNamee, regional officer for the Fund, said this latest cash is the final part of a series of cash packages distributed across the UK since 1999.

She said: "We can [now] see some of the real benefits which projects have brought to children, their families and local communities.

'Real difference'

"As well as allowing parents and carers the opportunity to return to work, education and training, the Fund's childcare programme has generated vital jobs...since the first grants were awarded in 1999."

Funding includes more than �200,000 to provide 245 places in Liverpool, with �355,904 being used to create 416 places in Manchester.

Nearly 500 places will be created in Bolton, with a cash package of �303,796.

Laurie Williamson, Bolton council executive member for culture, said: "This money is going to make a real difference to services for school-aged children."

In Lancashire, the largest grants are going to projects in Chorley, with �701,779 being used to set up nearly 1,400 places.