PARENTS in Hindley and Worsley are set to benefit from new nurseries.

Five nurseries are to be opened in Wigan borough, creating an extra 205 childcare places for families in Hindley, Hindley Green, Worsley, Ince, Worsley Mesnes and Hindsford.

The Wigan Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership has been given the go-ahead for neighbourhood nurseries after meeting a Government deadline for grant applications. The first neighbourhood nursery, in Atherton, opened last year.

Partnership chairman Gareth Cheesman said: "More youngsters are being given the best of starts in life. There is still money available and we would urge anyone who can help to create new neighbourhood nurseries to get in touch."

For more details, contact Dawn Leigh on 01942-206205.

The new nurseries will be financed by the New Opportunities Fund. Previously, 55 childcare places were created when the borough's first Neighbourhood Nursery -- Footprints in Bolton Road, Atherton -- opened last year.