CHILDCARE bosses in Bolton have hit the jackpot with National Lottery cash.

The lottery's New Opportunities Fund has awarded Bolton Council more than £300,000 to provide nearly 500 extra childcare places in the borough.

Most of the cash will go towards creating six new after school clubs and expand three existing clubs.

There will be 48 extra places for children after school, 32 before-school places and 164 holiday club places.

There will also be 80 more all year round places for children aged three to 14.

Schemes which will be expanded include setting up a breakfast club at Waggon Road Playcentre in Breightmet and starting holiday care projects at St Columbas Primary School, Tonge Moor and Bolton Arena.

New projects being started with the cash include after school clubs at Brownlow Fold Primary School, St James', Daisy Hill and St Ethelberts Primary.

The Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community scheme is planning a holiday club in Farnworth , the ABC playschool at Markland Hill is providing year round places and St Mary's Primary, Horwich is hoping to establish a breakfast club.

Bolton Council's executive member for culture, Cllr Laurie Williamson welcomed news of the grant.

"This money is going to make a real difference to services for school-aged children," he said.

"It will be used to provide a wide range of services."

Neighbouring Bury has also received £69,000 to create a new out of school club and expand three existing clubs, catering for an additional 253 children.