TWO hundred and sixty new childcare places for the under fives are to be cultivated in a new £1.5m neighbourhood nursery scheme.

They will be available to parents across the borough, who would normally have difficulty paying for facilities.

Wigan Council's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership has been given government approval and funding for the proposal.

The aim of the initiative is to ensure that parents looking to return to work or start full-time education can have expert care for their children.

The money will be available for equipment and buildings, as well as day-to-day running costs, and will enable those providing the care to subsidise places they make available under the scheme.

Early years and childcare co-ordinator Dominique Wright said: "Anyone interested in developing new daycare places under this scheme, particularly for 0-3 year olds, is urged to call immediately and put their name on the mailing list."

Contact Dawn Dutton on 01942 206205.