THREE childcare schemes were celebrating today after being awarded more than £150,000 between them.

Across the north west more than £2.3million of National Lottery money has been awarded in grants by the New Opportunity Fund to create nearly 3,500 childcare places for children aged from three to 14.

Barnardo's Blackburn Family Action Project is the lead partner in one of three schemes getting funding support to provide after school and holiday care.

Shadsworth Infant School, in Blackburn, is one of the schools which will benefit from the Barnardo's project and headteacher Barbara Booth MBE, said she was delighted.

The project will get a grant of £76,697, which it is hoped will also help reduce crime and nuisance behaviour in Shadsworth by offering children and young people a focus for their out of school and holiday activities.

Mrs Booth said: "The scheme offers continuity of care to local children in a non-threatening environment and that is exactly what they need.

"It also strengthens the credibility of our schools with families, reinforcing to them that we support them and want to make a difference."

Another childcare award of £52,746 is for The Den -- which is based at St Anne's Primary, in Feilden Street, Blackburn. Details of the third scheme have yet to be released. St Anne's headteacher Stephen Nicholson said the money means the after school club can really take off.

He said: "We have the staff and we have out of hour clubs, like French and computers, but now we can properly launch the after school's club, which will be open to 6.30pm.

"This money is great news for parents and great news for the children."

Mr Nicholson added a scheme for children during school holidays would probably be launched in the summer.