Children will benefit from after-school activities

Community at Heart, which oversees the delivery of the Bristol New Deal for Communities regeneration (NDC) programme, approved the proposal.

The scheme - which will, in part, help pay for two new trainees to help with after-school activities for 4 to 11-year-olds - begins on 1 June.

The Dings, Barton Hill, Redfield and Lawrence Hill areas will all benefit.

The two trainees will work within the current education team until 2006, when they will take over the running of programme through to 2010.

It is also hoped that residents will be able train locally as Learning Support Assistants to help with the work of children at Key Stage 2.

The funding will also see the development of a Somali family learning programme; an Education Grants Fund; achievement awards for residents attending schools outside of the NDC area and more trips, visits and summer camps.

Simon Gabriel, of Community at Heart, said: "This is excellent news for education establishments in the NDC area.

"Not only are the children going to benefit, but their families are as well."