CHILDCARE groups across WIltshire have welcomed Lottery funding that will make it easier for parents to return to work.

The £145,995 grant from the New Opportunities fund will be used to create 96 after-school places, 92 holiday club places and 150 early education places, some at existing groups and some at new groups.

The bid was put in by Kinderquest on behalf of Wiltshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

Kinderquest spokesman Janice Humphries, said: "The grant will enable the groups to purchase new equipment and provide stimulating activities for the children.

"Staff will have access to ongoing training and the whole group will work towards a quality assurance award.

"All this will give parents peace of mind while they are not caring for their children themselves."

At the Hippos Holiday Club, in Horningsham near Warminster, the money will be used to extend opening hours, currently 3pm to 5.30pm, to all day and to buy new equipment.

Spokesman Sue Ivey, said: "Extending the hours means more working people will be able to use us.

"Even if people are at home they can still bring their kids along if they want them to interact with other children. It is a social asset to the community."

The Hippos club caters for four-14-year-olds and currently has spare places.

The New Causeway Playgroup in Chippenham takes children between the ages of three and five.

It will also use its £6,180 grant to extend opening hours and to buy more equipment.

Spokesman Alison Tomsett said: "It is really great to get this money. We are not a rich group and as a charity, we rely heavily on parents.

The group, which is 10 years old, will be extending its opening time by an hour to cover lunchtimes.

Mrs Tomsett said: "We charge £4 a session at the moment and the extra hour will cost £2.50.

"A lot of parents get nursery vouchers to cover the session so they would only be paying £2.50 for a whole morning a lot cheaper than a childminder."