MORE than 150 new childcare places are to be created in Swindon, thanks to the efforts of local parents.

More than £60,000 of Government money has been awarded to three schemes in Cricklade, Highworth and Wroughton which will offer a before and after school service to local families from next year.

The projects are the brainchild of six mums who felt compelled to so something about the lack of childcare provision in their areas.

In Cricklade, Smart Zone Ltd will offer 18 after school, 18 before school and 18 holiday places for children aged between five and 11 from next February.

Mum-of-three and former teacher Lisa Hamer, who has set up the scheme with another parent, has already arranged a venue for the project which will serve local schools.

It will run from a mobile classroom at St Sampsons School, offering children help with homework and reading, activities and access to a computer after receiving a grant of £26,815 from the New Opportunities Fund.

Mrs Hamer, 35, said: "There is a lovely nursery in Cricklade, but places are limited.

"I know a lot of people who can't get back to work or can't work because they need to be at home just before and after school for their children so a scheme like this is very much needed.

"We needed this grant to be able to set the project up and are very pleased we have it. It has been quite a long process but we can now forge ahead."

Thanks to a grant of £18,093, Highworth will now have an extra 40 childcare places.

Highworth Kids Club, which will open on January 8 from rented premises at Vorda Pre-school in High-worth, will look after 24 children aged five to 11 after school, and 16 before school who go to Eastrop Infants and Southfield Junior School.

In Wroughton, registered childminder Jane Wood and another parent will open Wizz Kidz Wiltshire Limited at Wroughton Junior School in January.

It has received a grant of £18,048 to create 16 before school, 24 after school and 24 holiday places for four to 14-year-olds from Wroughton Infants and Junior School and Ridgeway School.