AT least one Bolton school will be providing everything from childcare to adult education over the next few years, due to new funding.

Bolton is to receive almost £200,000 between 2003-5 from the Department for Skills and Education to provide at least one 'extended school' which will provide a full range of community services.

The chosen one will provide childcare, health and social care, adult education, family learning, parenting support, study support, sports, arts and ICT access.

The Government says that extended services will enable schools to focus on their core role of raising standards for pupils.

John Baumber, headteacher of Rivington and Blackrod High School and Chairman of the Bolton Headteachers Association, welcomed the schools becoming more involved in the community.

He said: "Basically, extended schools are like one stop schools. There are already some in Wales but I don't think there are any locally. We do have community schools -- but it's not the same thing."

Junior Education Minister Baroness Ashton said: "We are creating schools for the future which meet the challenges of life in the 21st century."