A safe haven for children has been awarded 10,000 pounds to help it look after even more youngsters.

Dashwood After School Club in Banbury is the 100th group to be given a cash boost by insurance giant Pearl.

On Friday, local MP Tony Baldry will join Pearl officials and children at a party to celebrate the award. The club provides an out-of-school base for children aged four to 14, who would otherwise go home to an empty house while their parents are working.

Club manager Dawn Cothier said: "Pearl's support will make a real difference to us. The club, at Dashwood Primary School, is a vital part of the community and this additional funding means we can offer more support to families in the area."

Pearl's Banbury branch manager Peter Sinclair said: "Our home service gives us a good insight into issues that are important to people in town. I know that balancing work and childcare is a big challenge and that is why we have decided to support this after-school club."

The Dashwood project is part of Kids' Clubs Network - a national charity that promotes and supports school-age childcare.

Anne Longfield, director of the charity, said: "Our estimate is that at least 350,000 children in the UK go home each day to an empty house. This leaves parents worried about safety, and the children bored and isolated."