NURSERY children in the borough's poorest areas are the beneficiaries of a £1.6 million government windfall.

Redvales, East and Moorside, along with Bury's three other most deprived wards of Radcliffe South, Radcliffe Central, and Besses, are all to receive a share of the handout announced by Education and Skills secretary Estelle Morris this week.

A total of £1,395,682 will be made available over the next three years for new childcare places in Neighbourhood Nursery centres.

This will increase group-based childcare services for pre-school children in those areas where there are few or no facilities.

In addition, the same wards will get £67,040 for 2002-3 and the same for 2003-4 in capital funding.

Mrs Morris said: "This will provide the best possible start in life for children by allowing them free access to good quality early years education."

A further £149,724 will also be made available in European Social Fund Money over the next two years to spend on a range of childcare worker training initiatives, designed to promote access to training, such as helping individuals with the cost of course fees and travel costs.

The handouts are all part of the Government's aim for a childcare place in the most disadvantaged areas for every lone parent entering employment by March 2004.

Councillor Steve Perkins, executive member for lifelong learning in the borough, said: "We welcome this additional funding which will make a real difference to parents and children in those areas that most need it."