Youngsters in Oxfordshire are to benefit from a £32,000 Lottery cash boost for after-school activities, writes Tim Hughes.

The money from the Lottery's New Opportunities Fund will expand out-of-school hours clubs for pupils in Watlington and Abingdon.

At Watlington, tha cash will be split between the Rainbow Corner Day Nursery, which receives £22,000, and Watlington After-School Club, which receives £7,830.

The schemes will be open to pupils from Watlington primary and nursery schools, Icknield Morning School and Watlington Pre-School. The grant to the Rainbow Corner Day Nursery will allow staff to move into refurbished accommodation at Icknield Community College, Watlington.

Nursery manager Debbie Hemmins said the cash meant they could take double the number of children, making life easier for working parents. She said: "This is brilliant news. We need to be able to provide a full day for children. All local working parents will benefit."

Janet Vaughan, headteacher at Watlington Primary School, said after-school and breakfast clubs played a crucial role.

"With many parents working, these clubs are vitally important," she said. In Abingdon, the after-school club at Thomas Reade Primary School, in Radley Road, was awarded £1,750.

Lesley Irvine, chairman of the club's management committee, said: "Most of the grant will be used to buy equipment and toys, and also staff training.

"The children will be able to have much more - not just the basics."

Story date: Saturday 19 February

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